Phase 2 study of adjuvant nivolumab after salvage resection for recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Locoregional relapse in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is common. Salvage surgery is the standard of care, but achieves durable control in only a minority of patients. A multicenter phase 2 study in the USA evaluated adjuvant nivolumab after salvage surgical resection for recurrent HNSCC. The 2-year disease-free survival rate was 71.4% (95% CI 57.8-88.1), significantly better than 58% seen in an institutional historical control group of patients undergoing salvage surgery alone. The 2-year overall survival rate was 73% (95% CI 58-91). Adjuvant nivolumab was well tolerated.