The predictive and prognostic value of weight loss and body composition prior to and during immune checkpoint inhibition in recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer patients.

Background: Response rates of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy for recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) are low.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective multicentre cohort study evaluates the predictive and prognostic value of weight loss and changes in body composition prior and during therapy. Patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics of 98 patients were retrieved, including neutrophil and platelet-lymphocyte-ratio (NLR and PLR).