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Cancer research

Immunotherapy Use Increases for Head and Neck Cancer, Shows Promising Survival Outcomes

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A large population-based cohort study using data from the US National Cancer Database (NCDB) has found that immunotherapy use increased significantly for metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (mHNSCC) treatment from 2013 to 2020. The study, led by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, analyzed data from over 5,000 patients with mHNSCC and found that immunotherapy use was associated with modest overall survival improvement in patients with hypopharyngeal, oral cavity, and laryngeal cancers, but not for those with oropharyngeal cancer.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed data from over 5,000 patients with metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (mHNSCC) treated between 2013 and 2020.
  • Immunotherapy use increased from 9.3% in 2013 to 33.8% in 2020, with significant year-over-year increases.
  • Patients receiving both chemotherapy and immunotherapy had the longest median survival at 19.1 months, followed by those receiving chemotherapy alone at 17.3 months.
  • Multivariable Cox analysis demonstrated improved OS for the addition of immunotherapy (hazard ratio [HR], 0.81; 95% CI, 0.72-0.91) but worse OS for immunotherapy alone (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.08-1.45).
  • Immunotherapy use was associated with modest overall survival improvement in patients with hypopharyngeal (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.50-0.86), oral cavity (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.59-0.98), and laryngeal cancers (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.66-1.00), but not for those with oropharyngeal cancer.

Statistics:

  • 5,059 patients with mHNSCC were analyzed in the study, with a mean age at diagnosis of 64.6 years (SD, 10.6).
  • 21.3% (1,073 patients) received immunotherapy, while 78.8% (3,986 patients) did not.
  • Immunotherapy use increased significantly from 2013 to 2020, with a 325% increase in 7 years.
  • Patients receiving chemotherapy and immunotherapy had a median survival of 19.1 months, compared to 17.3 months for those receiving chemotherapy alone.

Sources:

  • "Immunotherapy Utilization Outcomes In Distantly Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma." JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, 2025.
  • NewsRx. Study Findings from University of Pennsylvania Broaden Understanding of Head and Neck Cancer (Immunotherapy Utilization Outcomes In Distantly Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma). Immunotherapy Weekly. July 2, 2025; p 5130.

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