Pembrolizumab as first-line treatment for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a multi-institutional DAHANCA cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Pembrolizumab is frequently used for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (rmHNSCC) as first-line treatment. This study evaluates real-world effectiveness in a Danish and United Kingdom (UK) cohort. Patient/material and methods: Patients with confirmed rmHNSCC treated with pembrolizumab (2020-2024) as first-line palliative treatment were included consecutively. Data were collected from patient files at four Danish head and neck cancer centres (discovery cohort) and the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (comparison cohort). Primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

Results

In the discovery cohort (n = 228), a median OS of 10 months (95% [confidence interval [CI]: 10-12) and median PFS of

SUBMITTER: Soby S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12476047 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature