Monotherapy With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Patients With Recurrent and/or Metastatic Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Title (eng)
Monotherapy With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Patients With Recurrent and/or Metastatic Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Author
Alexander Lein
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Thorsten Fuereder
Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Manuel Stoeth
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
Agmal Scherzad
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
Stephan Hackenberg
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
Julia Schnöll
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Lorenz Kadletz‐Wanke
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Gregor Heiduschka
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Archana Jaiswal
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Manchester University, NHS FoundationTrust, Manchester, UK
Rajiv Bhalla
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Manchester University, NHS FoundationTrust, Manchester, UK
Lukas Kenner
Department of Biological Sciences and Pathobiology, Centre of Pathobiology, Unit of Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Faris F. Brkic
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Abstract (eng)
Introduction
Sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC) is a rare malignancy with limited data on effective treatment modalities in the recurrent and/or metastatic (r/m) setting. While immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown promise in treating head and neck cancers, in general, their effects in SNSCC remain poorly understood. Furthermore, SNSCC patients are frequently excluded from clinical trials, limiting the evidence base for ICI efficacy in this specific subgroup. Therefore, our study evaluated the efficacy and safety of single-agent ICI therapy in r/m SNSCC.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective multicenter analysis of all r/m SNSCC patients treated with single-agent ICIs from July 2018 to December 2023 at two tertiary reference centers.
Results
A total of 18 patients received either Pembrolizumab (n = 8) or Nivolumab (n = 10) for r/m SNSCC. The overall response rate (ORR) to immunotherapy was 11.1% (2/18), with a disease control rate (DCR) of 27.8% (5/18) and a mean PFS and OS of 11.7 (95% CI: 2.3–21.0) months and 18.9 (95% CI: 8.3–29.5) months respectively. Two (11.1%) immune-related adverse events led to treatment discontinuation. Univariable analysis revealed high pathological grading (p = 0.049) as a negative prognostic factor for PFS. In an exploratory comparison with a larger cohort of 121 patients with r/m SCC of the larynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or oral cavity receiving ICI therapy, outcomes in SNSCC appeared broadly similar, with no statistically significant differences in PFS (p = 0.153), OS (p = 0.152), ORR (p = 0.401), or DCR (p = 0.359).
Conclusion
Immunotherapy may represent a treatment option for patients with SNSCC. Given the limited sample size, these results should be interpreted with caution. Our findings highlight the urgent need to include SNSCC patients in future prospective trials to clarify the role of immunotherapy in this underrepresented population.
Keywords (eng)
Advanced DiseaseHead And Neck CancerImmune-checkpoint TherapySinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Type (eng)
Language
[eng]
Persistent identifier
Is in series
Title (eng)
Cancer Medicine
Volume
14
Issue
23
ISSN
2045-7634
Issued
2025
Number of pages
11
Publication
Wiley
Version type (eng)
Date issued
2025
Access rights (eng)
License
Rights statement (eng)
© 2025 The Author(s)
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https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:5064 - Other links and identifiers
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- RightsLicenseRights statement© 2025 The Author(s)
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