Multicenter phase 2 trial of neoadjuvant low-dose radiotherapy plus tislelizumab and chemotherapy for resectable locally advanced HNSCC

Emerging evidence suggests that low-dose radiotherapy (LDR) can promote efficacy of immunotherapy. The multicenter phase 2 NeoRTPC02 trial in China evaluated two neoadjuvant cycles of the combination of LDR with tislelizumab (anti-PD-1) and nab-paclitaxel and cisplatin for resectable stage III-IVB head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, followed by radical resection 4 weeks after treatment completion. The pathological complete response rate was 60.9%, major pathological response rate was 21.7%, R0 resection rate was 100%, and objective response rate was 64.3%. Treatment-related adverse events were manageable, with grade 3 of 4 TRAEs in 35.7%. No surgical delays were observed. The authors conclude that the neoadjuvant combination of LDR with tislelizumab plus chemotherapy had promising efficacy and manageable toxicity in locally advanced HNSCC.