Purpose The genetic differences between Human papilloma Virus (HPV)-positive and negative head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) remain largely unknown. In order to identify differential biology and novel therapeutic targets for both entities we determined mutations and copy number aberrations in a large cohort of locoregionally-advanced HNSCC. Experimental Design We performed massively parallel sequencing of 617 cancer-associated genes in 120 matched tumor/normal samples (42.5% HPV-positive). Mutations and copy number aberrations were determined and results validated with a secondary method. Results The overall mutational burden in HPV-negative and HPV-positive HNSCC was similar with an average of 15.2 versus 14.4 somatic exonic mutations in the targeted cancer-associated genes. HPV-negative tumors showed a mutational spectrum concordant with published lung squamous cell carcinoma analyses with enrichment for mutations in TP53, CDKN2A, MLL2, CUL3, NSD1, PIK3CA and NOTCH genes. HPV-positive tumors showed unique mutations in DDX3X, FGFR2/3 and aberrations in PIK3CA, KRAS, MLL2/3 and NOTCH1 were enriched in HPV-positive tumors. Currently targetable genomic alterations were identified in FGFR1, DDR2, EGFR, FGFR2/3, EPHA2 and PIK3CA. EGFR, CCND1, and FGFR1 amplifications occurred in HPV-negative tumors, while 17.6% of HPV-positive tumors harbored mutations in Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor genes (FGFR2/3) including six recurrent FGFR3 S249C mutations. HPV-positive tumors showed a 5.8% incidence of KRAS mutations, and DNA repair gene aberrations including 7.8% BRCA1/2 mutations were identified. Conclusions The mutational makeup of HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC differs significantly, including targetable genes. HNSCC harbors multiple therapeutically important genetic aberrations, including frequent aberrations in the FGFR and PI3K pathway genes.

ZD1839 has single-agent activity and is well tolerated in refractory SCCHN. In contrast to other reports, development of skin toxicity was a statistically significant predictor of response and improved outcome.

This analysis suggests that pattern of failure in primary head and neck cancer may be dependent upon treatment strategy. Randomized clinical trials of induction chemotherapy are warranted as a means to determine if a decrease in distant metastases can lead to an increase in survival rates in the setting of effective chemoradiotherapy for locoregional control. Additionally, this analysis provides impetus for randomized clinical trials of organ preservation chemoradiotherapy in sites outside the larynx and hypopharynx.

These data support the feasibility of intense CT/XRT as primary treatment for advanced HNC. Results confirm acute toxicity but indicate that many of the treatment-related performance and QOL declines resolve by 12 months. The persistent inability to eat a full range of foods warrants further attention and monitoring.

(1) Neck dissection for patients with N2 or greater neck disease after CRT is necessary to eradicate residual disease. (2) The complication rate of SND after CRT with hyperfractionated radiotherapy is low. (3) SNDs are technically feasible when performed within the "window" between the acute and chronic CRT injury (4-12 weeks). (4) SNDs, rather than more radical procedures, appear to be therapeutically appropriate in this group of patients because of the low incidence of disease recurrence in the neck.

Background The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a validated target in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck but in patients with recurrent or metastatic disease, EGFR targeting agents have displayed modest efficacy. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mediated angiogenesis has been implicated as a mechanism of resistance to anti-EGFR therapy. This study combined an EGFR inhibitor, erlotinib, with an anti-VEGF antibody, bevacizumab. Methods This multi-institutional phase I/II study enrolled patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck to receive erlotinib (150 mg daily) and bevacizumab in escalating dose cohorts. The primary objectives in the phase I and II portions, respectively, were to determine the maximum tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicity of bevacizumab when administered with erlotinib and to determine the objective response rate and time to disease progression. Pre-treatment serum and tissues were collected and analyzed by Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay and immunofluorescence quantitative laser analysis, respectively. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00055913. Findings The phase I portion enrolled 10 subjects in three successive cohorts without dose-limiting toxicity observed. An additional 46 subjects were enrolled at the phase II dose (bevacizumab 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks). The most common toxicities of any grade were rash and diarrhea (41 and 16 of 48 subjects, respectively). Three patients experienced serious bleeding events. The observed response rate was 15% with 4 complete responses (CR) allowing rejection of the null hypothesis. The median overall and progression-free survival (PFS) durations were 7.1 (95% Confidence Interval: 5.7 to 9.0) and 4.1 (95% Confidence Interval: 2.8 to 4.4) months, respectively. Higher ratios of phosphorylated over total VEGF receptor-2 and EGFR in pre-treatment biopsies were associated with CR (0.7043 vs. 0.3857, p=0.036 and 0.949 vs. 0.332, p=0.036, respectively) and tumor shrinkage (p=0.007 and p=0.008, respectively) in a subset of 11 subjects with available tissue. Interpretation The combination of erlotinib and bevacizumab is well tolerated in recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Some patients appear to derive a sustained benefit and complete responses were associated with expression of putative targets in pre-treatment tumor tissue.

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the emergence of second primary malignancies and the contribution of different causes of death to the outcome of patients with locoregionally advanced head and cancer receiving primary chemoradiotherapy.Experimental Design: We studied 324 patients with stage IV squamous cell head and neck cancer who were enrolled on five consecutive multicenter Phase II studies of concurrent chemoradiotherapy. All of the regimens included concurrent 5-fluorouracil and hydroxyurea on an alternate week schedule with radiotherapy, either alone (FHX) or with cisplatin (C-FHX) or paclitaxel (T-FHX). The cumulative incidence of second primary tumors or death from any cause was estimated using methods of competing risk analysis.Results: Median follow-up of surviving patients was 5.2 years (2-10.6 years). The 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival of the cohort were 46% and 65%, respectively. Causes of death and median time of occurrence were as follows: disease (n ‫؍‬ 88; 1.5 years), treatmentassociated acute or late complications (n ‫؍‬ 30; 4 months), second primary tumors (n ‫؍‬ 18; 3.5 years), comorbidities (n ‫؍‬ 41; 1.9 years), and unknown (n ‫؍‬ 20; 5.1 years). Predominant causes of death from comorbidities were cardiac and respiratory illnesses. Twenty-six patients (8%) developed a second primary tumor at a median time of 2.8 years (4 months to 10 years). The cumulative incidence of second primary tumors was 5%, 7%, and 13% at 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. The most frequent site of second primaries was the lung (n ‫؍‬ 13), followed by the esophagus (n ‫؍‬ 3) and head and neck (n ‫؍‬ 2)Conclusions: Patients with locoregionally advanced head and neck cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy are potentially curable but face significant risks of mortality from causes other than disease progression. Ameliorating toxicity, and implementing secondary screening and chemoprevention strategies are major goals in the management of head and neck cancer.

Administration of carboplatin and paclitaxel before TFHX chemoradiotherapy results in high response activity and may decrease distant failure rates. Overall survival, progression, and organ preservation/functional outcome data support definitive evaluation of this approach.