Phase 2 study of neoadjuvant immunotherapy for locoregionally advanced, resectable cutaneous SCC of the head and neck

In locoregionally advanced, resectable cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, surgery followed by radiotherapy is standard but can be cosmetically and functionally devastating, while many patients will recur. A pilot phase 2 study at MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX) found that neoadjuvant immunotherapy in LA CSCC-HN was safe and induced a high pathologic response rate (70%; 95% CI 45.7-88.1). Twelve months DSS, DFS, and OS rates were 95% (95% CI 85.9-100), 89.5% (76.6-100), and 95% (85.9-100) respectively.