LBA38 - Pembrolizumab versus cetuximab, concomitant with radiotherapy (RT) in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC): Results of the GORTEC 2015-01 “PembroRad” randomized trial

The abstract concludes: Compared to the SOC cetuximab-RT, the anti-PD1 pembrolizumab concomitant with RT did not improve carcinologic outcomes but appeared less toxic.

910O - Primary results of the phase III JAVELIN head & neck 100 trial: Avelumab plus chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by avelumab maintenance vs CRT in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LA SCCHN)

The abstract concludes: Tolerability was similar in both arms; however, the study did not demonstrate statistically significant improvement in PFS with avelumab + CRT vs placebo + CRT. These results may inform future trial design.

LBA39 - 3-years follow-up of double-blind randomized phase II comparing concurrent high-dose cisplatin chemo-radiation plus xevinapant or placebo in high-risk patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

The abstract concludes: These results with extended follow-up confirm those previously reported, showing now in addition a statistically and clinically significant OS benefit by adding Debio 1143 to standard CRT. The confirmatory phase III Trilynx study (EudraCT Number: 2020-000377-25) is ongoing.

LBA40 - Neoadjuvant nivolumab and nivolumab plus ipilimumab induce (near-) complete responses in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: The IMCISION trial

The abstract concludes: Neoadjuvant ICB was feasible in HNSCC and induced (near)pCR in 31% of evaluable patients at time of surgery, which was accompanied by 100% RFS. Baseline AID/APOBEC-related mutations, on-treatment FDG-PET and resolution of hypoxia need future validation to discover their potential role as biomarkers for (near)pCR after ICB in HNSCC.

911O - Performance of dual p16 and HPV testing for determining prognosis in cancer of the oropharynx, the EPIC-OPC Study

The abstract concludes: p16+/HPV+ tumors showed the highest OS magnitude of association compared with other biomarkers combinations. Using p16 immunostaining alone, 11% OPC patients would be incorrectly classified as HPV-related OPC according to TNM-8 staging, and with risk of misclassification for de-escalation in clinical trials, particularly in regions with lower attributable fractions of HPV.

POSTER

A phase II study evaluating the safety and anti-tumour activity of avelumab and cetuximab in recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinomas

The abstract concludes: Avelumab + cetuximab is safe and tolerable and demonstrates promising efficacy in recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma patients