Nabil F. Saba, MD, on Head and Neck Cancer: Long-Term Survival Findings With Pembrolizumab and Cabozantinib
2024 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancers Symposium
Nabil F. Saba, MD, of Emory University, discusses study findings on 2-year survival rates in patients with recurrent metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who received pembrolizumab plus cabozantinib. The progression-free survival rate of 32% and the overall survival rate of 55% suggest a durable clinical activity of this combination therapy (Abstract 2).
The ASCO Post Staff
Eleni M. Rettig, MD, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, discusses the promising but thus far limited data on using circulating tumor HPV DNA for early detection of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers, which highlights the importance of developing a reliable biomarker (Poster Abstract 177).
The ASCO Post Staff
Evan M. Graboyes, MD, MPH, of the Medical University of South Carolina, discusses the results of the NDURE study, which explored the delays in starting postoperative radiation therapy in patients with head and neck cancer and ways to improve the timeliness and equity of treatment. Delays in this therapy are associated with higher recurrence and poorer survival in this population (Abstract LBA2).
The ASCO Post Staff
Pooja Karukonda, MD, of Duke University Medical Center, discusses findings from the PaRTNer study, which addressed the large financial burden faced by patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy, particularly older, non-White, female, and low-income patients. Dr. Karukonda discusses some ways to counter this adverse effect (Abstract 13).
The ASCO Post Staff
Nabil F. Saba, MD, of Emory University, discusses phase II study results suggesting parenteral administration of TK-90 may be an effective strategy for preventing radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (Abstract 10).
The ASCO Post Staff
Christopher A. Barker, MD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses phase II study results showing that patients with locally advanced, unresectable basal cell carcinoma of the head and neck experienced improved quality of life after induction and concurrent vismodegib with curative-intent radiation treatment. According to Dr. Barker, the data on this strategy may provide a beneficial benchmark for clinical practice (Abstract 9).
