The use of pembrolizumab monotherapy for the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in the UK.

Pembrolizumab has received approval in the UK as first-line monotherapy for recurrent and/or metastatic HNSCC (R/M HNSCC) following the results of the KEYNOTE-048 trial, which demonstrated a longer overall survival (OS) in comparison to the EXTREME chemotherapy regimen in patients with a combined positive score (CPS) ≥1. In this article, we provide retrospective real-world data on the role of pembrolizumab monotherapy as first-line systemic therapy for HNSCC across 18 centers in the UK from March 20, 2020 to May 31, 2021. 211 patients were included, and in the efficacy analysis, the objective response rate (ORR) was 24.

Robustness and Generalizability of Deep Learning Synthetic Computed Tomography for Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Radiation Therapy Planning of Patients With Head and Neck Cancer.

Purpose: Radiotherapy planning based only on positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) lacks computed tomography (CT) information required for dose calculations. In this study, a previously developed deep learning model for creating synthetic CT (sCT) from MRI in patients with head and neck cancer was evaluated in 2 scenarios: (1) using an independent external dataset, and (2) using a local dataset after an update of the model related to scanner software-induced changes to the input MRI.

Methods And Materials: Six patients from an external site and 17 patients from a local cohort were analyzed separately.

Clinical outcomes in relapsed oropharyngeal cancer after definitive (chemo) radiotherapy.

Objectives: To report clinical outcomes of relapsed oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) after definitive intensity-modulated (chemo)radiotherapy [(C)RT].

Materials And Methods: Data for all relapsed patients treated for OPSCC with definitive (C)RT between 2010 and 2016 were collected. Primary end-point was post-failure survival (PFS).

A multi-centre survey reveals variations in the standard treatments and treatment modifications for head and neck cancer patients during Covid-19 pandemic.

Background: The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid changes to the practice of head and neck oncology in UK. There was a delay between the onset of the pandemic and the release of guidelines from cancer societies and networks, leading to a variable response of individual centres. This survey was conducted to assess the pre-Covid-19 pandemic standard of practice for head and neck oncology patients and the treatment modifications introduced during the first wave of the pandemic in UK.

TNM 8 staging is a better prognosticator than TNM 7 for patients with locally advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma treated with surgery and post-operative radiotherapy.

Purpose: To assess TNM 8 staging in discriminating overall survival (OS) amongst patients with locally advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) treated with surgery and post-operative radiotherapy (PORT), compared to TNM 7.

Material And Methods: Data from OCSCC patients treated with surgery and PORT between January 2010 and December 2018 were reviewed. Demographics, tumour characteristics and treatment response data were collected, and patients staged according to both TNM 7 and TNM 8.

Safety and Treatment Outcomes of Nivolumab for the Treatment of Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

Nivolumab is an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody currently used as immunotherapy for patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with evidence of disease progression after platinum-based chemotherapy. This study evaluates real-world safety and treatment outcomes of non-trial nivolumab use. A retrospective multicenter cohort study of patients with recurrent/metastatic HNSCC treated with nivolumab between January 2017 and March 2020 was performed.

Guidance on the use of MRI for treatment planning in radiotherapy clinical trials.

The aim of this article is to propose meaningful guidance covering the technical and safety issues involved when designing or conducting radiotherapy clinical trials that use MRI for treatment planning. The complexity of imaging requirements will depend on the trial aims, design and MRI methods used.The use of MRI within the RT pathway is becoming more prevalent and clinically appropriate as access to MRI increases, treatment planning systems become more versatile and potential indications for MRI-planning in RT are documented.

Guidance on the use of PET for treatment planning in radiotherapy clinical trials.

The aim of this article is to propose meaningful guidance covering the practical and technical issues involved when planning or conducting clinical trials involving positron emission tomography (PET)-guided radiotherapy. The complexity of imaging requirements will depend on the study aims, design and PET methods used. Where PET is used to adapt radiotherapy, a high level of accuracy and reproducibility is required to ensure effective and safe treatment delivery.

Machine-learned target volume delineation of F-FDG PET images after one cycle of induction chemotherapy.

Biological tumour volume (GTV) delineation on F-FDG PET acquired during induction chemotherapy (ICT) is challenging due to the reduced metabolic uptake and volume of the GTV. Automatic segmentation algorithms applied to F-FDG PET (PET-AS) imaging have been used for GTV delineation on F-FDG PET imaging acquired before ICT. However, their role has not been investigated in F-FDG PET imaging acquired after ICT.

Osteoradionecrosis following treatment for head and neck cancer and the effect of radiotherapy dosimetry: the Guy's and St Thomas' Head and Neck Cancer Unit experience.

Objectives: To analyze clinical features, dosimetric parameters, and outcomes of osteoradionecrosis (ORN).

Study Design: Thirty-six patients with ORN who had been previously treated with radiotherapy (RT) were retrospectively identified between January 2009 and April 2014. ORN volumes were contoured on planning computed tomography (CT) scans.

Primary esophageal cancer: heterogeneity as potential prognostic biomarker in patients treated with definitive chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Purpose: To determine the association between tumor heterogeneity, morphologic tumor response, and overall survival in primary esophageal cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT).

Materials And Methods: After an institutional review board waiver was obtained, contrast material-enhanced computed tomographic (CT) studies in 36 patients with stage T2 or greater esophageal tumors who underwent contrast-enhanced CT before and after CRT between 2005 and 2008 were analyzed in terms of whole-tumor texture, with quantification of entropy, uniformity, mean gray-level intensity, kurtosis, standard deviation of the histogram, and skewness for fine to coarse textures (filters 1.0-2.