Quality of life analysis of patients treated with cetuximab or cisplatin for locoregionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck in the United States

Abstract

Background: To compare quality of life of patients treated with cetuximab with or without radiation therapy (±RT) vs. cisplatin±RT for locoregionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) in the realworld setting. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, electronic medical records and Patient Care Monitor (PCM) survey data from the Vector Oncology Data Warehouse were utilized from adult patients in the United States who received initial treatment with cetuximab±RT or cisplatin±RT for locoregionally advanced SCCHN between January 1, 2007 and January 1, 2017. Quality of life was assessed using PCM index scores and individual PCM items. Cetuximab±RT and cisplatin±RT cohorts were balanced using propensity score weighting. Linear mixed models were used to assess the impact of baseline demographic and clinical characteristics on PCM endpoints. Results: Of 531 patients with locoregionally advanced SCCHN, 187 received cetuximab±RT, and 344 received cisplatin±RT. Before propensity score weighting, the cetuximab±RT cohort was older (mean [SD] age of 63.9 [9.6] years vs. 57.4 [8.6] years), and more likely to be white (82.4% vs. 72.4%) compared to the cisplatin±RT cohort. After propensity score weighting, the two cohort subsamples (cetuximab±RT, N = 60; cisplatin±RT, N = 177) with PCM data showed no significant differences in General Physical Symptoms, Treatment Side Effects, Impaired Ambulation, or Impaired Performance index scores. Patients in the cetuximab±RT cohort had higher Acute Distress index (p = 0.023), Despair index (p = 0.011), and rash (p = 0.003) scores but lower numbness/tingling scores (p = 0.022) than patients in the cisplatin±RT cohort.

International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Sinonasal Tumors

“…Ye et al. retrospectively analyzed a multi‐institutional cohort of 349 patients with head and neck cancer of all subsites treated with CRT with cisplatin or cetuximab and found grade 3/4 toxicities in 58% and 45% in each group, respectively, most commonly oral mucositis and radiation dermatitis, as well as a 34% and 20% rate of unplanned hospital admissions, respectively, consistent with other similar studies 2175,2176 . In an RCT by Bonner et al.…”

The Inconsistent Assessment of Quality of Life in Patients Treated for Head and Neck Cancer with Anti-EGFR Inhibitors: A Systematic Scoping Review

“…The initial intention of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of the QoL scores among patients undergoing HNC treatment with anti-EGFR inhibitors. This antineoplastic agent was chosen for its debilitating side effect profile [58][59][60]. It was found that studies utilizing the same assessment tools differed in their reporting methods, and this prevented doing a pooled analysis.…”

Identifying Novel Necroptosis-Related Long Non-Coding RNAs: Prognostic and Immunotherapeutic Implications for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…Currently, cetuximab stands as the only molecularly targeted drug approved for HNSCC treatment 10 . Despite its potential therapeutic bene ts, the use of cetuximab in HNSCC patients can be associated with cutaneous toxicities that can limit treatment e cacy and patient quality of life 11 ; 12 . These adverse effects, typically manifesting as an acne-like rash, often affect the face, scalp, and neck regions and can lead to discomfort, pain, and reduced physical and social functioning.…”