Phase 2 study of pembrolizumab plus cetuximab for recurrent or metastatic head an neck squamous cell carcinoma

The PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab and the EGFR inhibitor cetuximab are active as single agents and in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. A multicenter phase 2 study evaluated the combination of pembrolizumab and cetuximab for R/M HNSCC in patients with no previous PD-1, PD-L1, or EGFR inhibition. The ORR was 45% (95% CI 28-62). Serious treatment-related adverse events occurred in 15% of patients. The authors conclude that the combination merits further investigation.