Clinical evidence for immune cell-based therapy for head and neck cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Dong-Hyeon Jo, Jongbok Lee, Min-Su Kim
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated immune cell-based therapy (ICT) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) across 30 studies involving 953 patients. The analysis found no significant benefits in tumor response or survival from ICT in randomized trials, particularly in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The only nonrandomized trial in non-nasopharyngeal HNSCC suggested longer median survival, but lacked statistical significance.
Key findings
- Pooled complete response rate was 11% across 26 single-arm trials.
- Objective response rate was 22%, and disease control rate was 56%.
- Adverse events ≥ grade 3 occurred in 12% of patients.
- Randomized trials in NPC showed no significant ICT benefits for survival outcomes.
Why it matters
The findings highlight the limited efficacy of current ICT approaches in HNSCC, particularly in non-nasopharyngeal cases. Clinicians should be aware of the lack of robust evidence supporting ICT in this population, emphasizing the need for further research.