Evaluation of concomitant systemic therapy in older adults undergoing definitive radiotherapy for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

The number of older adults (aged 65 years and over) with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is increasing, and these patients are underrepresented in clinical trials. It is unclear whether addition of systemic therapy to definitive radiotherapy (RT) for HNSCC in these patients with associated with improved survival. The SENIOR cohort study, at twelve centers in the USA and Europe, evaluated addition of chemotherapy or cetuximab to RT for locoregionally advanced HNSCC in older adults. The study showed that overall survival and progression-free survival were longer with CRT than with RT alone, even after adjusting for potential confounders. Addition of cetuximab was not associated with improved survival or locoregional control. The authors conclude dat older patients with locoregionally advanced HNSCC may benefit from the addition of chemotherapy, but not cetuximab, to RT.