Unexpected Response to Nivolumab in a “Fast Progress or” Head and Neck Cancer Patient

Napolitano M, Trudu L and Bertolini F

Department of Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital of Modena, Italy

^*Correspondance to: Martina Napolitano 

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Abstract:

Prior to the advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-1/PD-L1 axis no drug demonstrated to improve survival or quality of life in the second-line treatment of recurrent or metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (R/M-HNSCC). Nivolumab appear to have a clear clinical benefit for R/M-HNSCC, based on improved survival, good toxicity profile, reduction in symptoms and improvement in overall quality of life. This benefit seems to be greater for PD-L1 positive patients and independent of previous treatment, even being observed among heavily pre-treated patients. However, even in responding tumors acquired resistance to nivolumab usually occurred, limiting the drug’s activity. We report a case of unexpected prolonged stable disease in second-line treatment with nivolumab after a rapid progression disease under first-line chemotherapy in biomarker-positive R/M-HNSCC.

Keywords:

Nivolumab; HNSCC; PD-L1; Mixed response; Palliative Treatments; Head and neck

Cite the Article:

Napolitano M, Trudu L, Bertolini F. Unexpected Response to Nivolumab in a “Fast Progress or” Head and Neck Cancer Patient. Clin Oncol. 2019; 4: 1595.