Comparison of Second-Line Treatments of Recurrent and/or Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Abstract

Aim: The literature lacks direct evidence comparing the different regimens evaluated in the second-line treatment of recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN). Methods: We conducted a network meta-analysis (NMA) of the randomized controlled Phase III trials reporting on the second-line drug treatment options in R/M SCCHN. Results: The eligible trials included 11 regimens among which six targeted therapies, two immune checkpoint inhibitors and three chemotherapy regimens. Only nivolumab has shown statistically significant superiority over methotrexate in terms of overall survival (HR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.43–0.96) and objective response rate (OR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.07–5.86). Conclusion: Based on the efficacy and safety outcomes of this network meta-analysis, nivolumab seems the most favorable regimen inthe management of R/M SCCHN.

Keywords::

• metastatic
• platinum refractory
• recurrent
• second line
• squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Supplementary data

To view the supplementary data that accompany this paper please visit the journal website at: www.tandfonline.com/doi/suppl/10.2217/fon-2018-0663

Acknowledgements

The authors thank JB Vermorken for his valuable comments.

Financial&competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.