Comparison of induction chemotherapy with/without PD-1 inhibitors followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Q: What clinical question does the study address?

Whether adding PD-1 inhibitors to induction chemotherapy improves long-term outcomes in newly diagnosed LA HNSCC patients treated with subsequent concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Q: How were patients grouped and what outcomes were assessed?

The retrospective cohort included 204 patients split into a TPI group receiving induction chemotherapy with PD-1 inhibitors (n=115) and a TP group receiving induction chemotherapy alone (n=89). Overall survival was the primary outcome, with progression-free survival and objective response rate as secondary outcomes.

Q: What were the main results of adding PD-1 inhibitors?

After propensity score weighting, PD-1 inhibitors significantly improved overall survival (HR 0.11, p<0.001) and progression-free survival (HR 0.43, p=0.024), with improved best radiological responses (p=0.02).

Q: What does the study conclude and how might it impact future work?

Adding PD-1 inhibitors to induction chemotherapy improves overall survival for LA HNSCC, supporting further clinical trials to refine and optimize treatment strategies and timing of immunotherapy.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Callum

Locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA HNSCC) has a persistently challenging prognosis despite concurrent chemoradiotherapy as standard care. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, especially PD-1 inhibitors, have improved outcomes in recurrent or metastatic disease, but their role when added to induction chemotherapy remains unclear. This retrospective study compared induction chemotherapy plus PD-1 inhibitors versus induction chemotherapy alone, evaluating overall survival and progression-free survival, with response metrics and propensity weighting for baseline balance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

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Pages13

Reading Time33 min

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Abstract

Background

Patients and methods

Results

Conclusions

Introduction

Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy (2026) 75:35 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s00262-025-04284-w](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00262-025-04284-w) Comparison of induction chemotherapy with/without PD‑1 inhibitors followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma Yongchao Yu1,2 · Zan Jiao1,2 · Tong Wu1,2 · Kang Ning1,2 · Taonong Cai1,2 · Zhongyuan Yang1,2 · Weichao Chen1,2 · Mingjie Jiang1,2 · Ankui Yang1,2 Received: 28 September 2025 / Accepted: 19 December 2025 © The Author(s) 2026 Abstract Background Locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA HNSCC) remains a disease with a challenging prognosis. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy has long been the standard of care, yet efforts to enhance outcomes through the addition of induction or adjuvant therapies have largely failed. Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors, particularly PD-1 inhibitors, have demonstrated efficacy in managing HNSCC, becoming a first-line treatment for recurrent/metastatic cases. This study aims to evaluate whether adding PD-1 inhibitors to induction chemotherapy can improve long-term outcomes in newly diagnosed LA HNSCC patients. Patients and methods This retrospective analysis included 204 newly diagnosed LA HNSCC patients treated between February 2012 and February 2023. Patients were divided into two cohorts: TPI group (n=115), who received induction chemotherapy including PD-1 inhibitors, and TP group (n=89), who received induction chemotherapy alone. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), while secondary outcomes included progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR). Baseline characteristics were balanced using overlap propensity score weighting. Survival analyses were conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method, and subgroup analyses employed Cox proportional hazards models. Results With a median follow-up of 29.23 months, baseline characteristics were balanced after weighting. The addition of PD-1 inhibitors significantly improved OS (HR: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.03–0.37, p<0.001) and PFS (HR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.20–0.89, p=0.024). Furthermore, the TPI group showed a significant improvement in the best radiological responses (p=0.02) . Subgroup analyses identified specific factors associated with enhanced PFS and OS. Conclusions The addition of PD-1 inhibitors to induction chemotherapy significantly improves overall survival in patients with LA HNSCC, underscoring the potential for further clinical trials to refine and optimize treatment strategies. Keywords Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma · Induction therapy · Immunotherapy Yongchao Yu, Zan Jiao, and Tong Wu have contributed equally to this work and share the first authorship. * Weichao Chen[chenwch@sysucc.org.cn](chenwch@sysucc.org.cn) * Mingjie Jiang [jiangmj1@sysucc.org.cn](jiangmj1@sysucc.org.cn) * Ankui Yang [yangak@sysucc.org.cn](yangak@sysucc.org.cn) Yongchao Yu [yuyc1@sysucc.org.cn](yuyc1@sysucc.org.cn)[ ](yuyc1@sysucc.org.cn)Zan Jiao [jiaozan@sysucc.org.cn](jiaozan@sysucc.org.cn)[ ](jiaozan@sysucc.org.cn)Tong Wu [wutong@sysucc.org.cn](wutong@sysucc.org.cn) Kang Ning [ningkang@sysucc.org.cn](ningkang@sysucc.org.cn) Taonong Cai [caitn@sysucc.org.cn](caitn@sysucc.org.cn) Zhongyuan Yang [yangzhy@sysucc.org.cn](yangzhy@sysucc.org.cn) 1 State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P. R. China 2 Present Address: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China Introduction Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) poses a major health challenge, with locally advanced HNSCC (LA HNSCC) comprising about 60% of all diagnosed patients and exhibiting a five-year survival rate of less than 50%[1–3] . Concurrent chemoradiotherapy became the standard treatment for LA HNSCC based on the MACHNC meta-analysis, which showed that ne

FAQs

What clinical question does the study address?

Whether adding PD-1 inhibitors to induction chemotherapy improves long-term outcomes in newly diagnosed LA HNSCC patients treated with subsequent concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

How were patients grouped and what outcomes were assessed?

The retrospective cohort included 204 patients split into a TPI group receiving induction chemotherapy with PD-1 inhibitors (n=115) and a TP group receiving induction chemotherapy alone (n=89). Overall survival was the primary outcome, with progression-free survival and objective response rate as secondary outcomes.

What were the main results of adding PD-1 inhibitors?

After propensity score weighting, PD-1 inhibitors significantly improved overall survival (HR 0.11, p<0.001) and progression-free survival (HR 0.43, p=0.024), with improved best radiological responses (p=0.02).

What does the study conclude and how might it impact future work?

Adding PD-1 inhibitors to induction chemotherapy improves overall survival for LA HNSCC, supporting further clinical trials to refine and optimize treatment strategies and timing of immunotherapy.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Callum