Real-World Outcomes of First-Line Cetuximab and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Recurrent and/or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Multicenter Observational Study and Literature Review.
Simple Summary: Recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is a challenging disease that often requires systemic treatment. For many years, the combination of chemotherapy and the targeted agent cetuximab (the EXTREME regimen) was the standard first-line therapy. Although immunoth...
| Publicado en: | Current Oncology Vol. 33; no. 4; pp. 183 - 197 |
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| Autores principales: | , , , , , , , , , |
| Formato: | Journal Article |
| Publicado: |
MDPI
Apr2026
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| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=193441176&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 193441176 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 11980052 5EKK jtl: Current Oncology issn: 11980052 maglogo: N pubinfo: dt: Apr2026 vid: 33 iid: 4 pid: 97109 pub: MDPI artinfo: ui: 193441176 10.3390/curroncol33040183 193441176 ppf: 183 ppct: 14 formats: fmt: – @attributes: type: T – @attributes: type: P tig: atl: Real-World Outcomes of First-Line Cetuximab and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Recurrent and/or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Multicenter Observational Study and Literature Review. aug: au: Rakušić, Zoran Bišof, Vesna Vušković, Sanja Kotromanović, Zdenka Erić, Suzana Viculin, Jelena Vazdar, Ljubica Prpić, Marin Kust, Davor Vučinić, Damir affil: Department of Oncology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia sug: ab: Simple Summary: Recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is a challenging disease that often requires systemic treatment. For many years, the combination of chemotherapy and the targeted agent cetuximab (the EXTREME regimen) was the standard first-line therapy. Although immunotherapy is now widely used, not all patients are eligible for it, and access may be limited in some countries. In this multicenter retrospective study, we analyzed the outcomes of 217 patients in Croatia treated with cetuximab-based chemotherapy before immunotherapy became available. The treatment provided meaningful survival and disease control with acceptable toxicity in routine clinical practice. Patients who developed cetuximab-related skin rash had better progression-free survival. These findings support the continued use of cetuximab-based chemotherapy as a treatment option for selected patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer. Background: The EXTREME regimen (cetuximab with cisplatin/carboplatin and 5-fluorouracil) has long been a standard first-line treatment for recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC), particularly in patients ineligible for immunotherapy. However, real-world evidence remains limited, especially in regions with delayed access to novel therapies. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, multicenter study of 217 patients with R/M HNSCC treated with cetuximab-based chemotherapy at six Croatian oncology centers between 2016 and 2022, prior to reimbursement of pembrolizumab. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS); secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), response rates, and safety. Results: The majority (91%) received the EXTREME regimen. Median OS was 14 months (95% CI, 12–17), and median PFS was 6.2 months (95% CI, 6.0–7.2). Objective response rate was 21%, and disease control rate was 63%. Cetuximab-induced rash correlated with longer PFS. Grade ≥ 3 toxicity occurred in 18.9% of patients. No treatment-related deaths were observed. Conclusion: In routine clinical practice, cetuximab combined with platinum-based chemotherapy remains an effective and well-tolerated first-line treatment for R/M HNSCC, particularly in patients who are ineligible for immunotherapy or with PD-L1–negative tumors. These findings support its continued use in appropriately selected patients. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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