Real-world treatment patterns and outcomes of patients with stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Abstract

To understand the treatment patterns and outcomes for stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, patients receiving second-line or later drug therapy. Real-world data were collected from 1152 patients in the USA, France, Germany and the UK through a retrospective chart analysis and patient-reported outcomes were collected using validated questionnaires in a subgroup of patients. Forty-four percent of patients had stage IVA/B disease. A total of 77, 19 and 3% of patients had received two, three and four plus lines of active drug treatment. Platinum- and cetuximab-based regimens were common at early treatment lines. Time to progression was short (5.2months post first line), survival rates low and patient-reported health status poor. Novel therapies that could improve clinical and patient-reported outcomes would address a significant unmet need.