Clinical outcomes of cetuximab-based treatment for distant metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A real-world study using Taiwan Head Neck Society registry database

BackgroundFor R/M HNSCC, the differences in prognosis and treatment options between distant metastasis (DM) and locoregional recurrence, especially in the DM group, remain unclear.MethodsFrom the Taiwan Head Neck Society registry database, patients who were diagnosed with R/M HNSCC and received cetuximab-based frontline therapy were collected for analysis.ResultsAmong the enrolled patients, 59.3% (491/827) belonged to the DM group. The DM group had less primary site of oral cavity, less betel nut chewing, higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, and higher LDH/albumin ratio compared with the non-DM group. For the patients with primary site of oral cavity and current smokers, DM coexisted with poorer outcomes. In the DM group, EXTREME-like regimen was more suitable for older patients, those with elevated LDH, and those with higher LDH/albumin ratio than TPExtreme-like regimen.ConclusionDM coexisted with poorer prognosis in certain groups. LDH-associated biomarkers may aid treatment options for DM patients.