The smart options of induction therapy for locally advanced betel-nuts related HNSCC in Taiwan.

Abstract

e18080 Background: The treatment of HNSCC in Taiwan is still very challenging and might be related to betel-nuts use. Betel nut chewing might contribute to strong angiogenesis/invasion and treatment refractoriness. In western countries where HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer prevalence is high, induction TPF (TAX323/324) response rate in locally advanced HNSCC is around 70%; Erbitux and TP (Argiris in JCO2008) induction response rate is 86%. In the analysis from KGMH in Taiwan, induction chemotherapy response for locally advanced HNSCC was 55% in betel-nuts chewers compared with 75% in non-users ( p=0.038; From Su in World Journal of Surgical Oncology 2016). In further studies from Taiwan, Avastin-PF induction benefit (ORR 80%) was also prominent from NTUH (Huang in ESMO Asia2016); Erbitux-TPF induction response rate was 88% from VGH by Lu in Head & Neck2019. Neoadjuvant biochemotherapy seemed to bring more benefits in betel-nuts related HNSCC. In the era of incorporating immunotherapy to neoadjuvant setting of HNSCC, triple therapy of bio-chemoimmunotherapy deserves more attention. Methods: From 2012 to 2022, 111 unresectable stage IVA & IVB betal-nuts related HNSCC patients (OSCC 69, Hypopharynx 26, OPC 13) had ever received induction Bio-chemotherapy or triple therapy (Bio-chemoimmunotherapy) in Yun-lin Branch of National Taiwan University Hospital. We have reviewed basic characteristics, therapeutic regimens, induction response, and final outcomes of these patients. Results: See table. Conclusions: Induction TPF response in locally advanced betel-nuts related HNSCC in Taiwan was not so prominent. Flexible chemotherapy backbones, such as TP/DP-HDFL(weekly docetaxel or paclitaxel with cisplatin and 24-hr high dose 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin infusion), might produce acceptable response rates with less toxicity. Bio(EGFR or VEGFR-targeting)-chemotherapy or Bio-chemoimmunotherapy has brought encouraging induction response with favorable toxicity profiles to conversion surgery or definite CCRT. Further investigation and clinical trials will be urgently warranted. [Table: see text]