ACE-27 as a prognostic tool of severe acute toxicities in patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy: a real-world, prospective, observational study.

Purpose: To evaluate the association between comorbidities as assessed by the "Adult Comorbidity Evaluation 27" (ACE-27) and the development of severe acute toxicities in patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: Prospective, single-center cohort of patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy (cisplatin 100 mg/m on days 1, 22, and 43; intensity-modulated radiotherapy 60 to 69.96 gray, in 30 to 33 fractions,) between June 2018 and December 2019. ACE-27 was assessed before the start of treatment. Patients were divided in two groups based on ACE-27 grading (none to mild versus moderate to severe comorbidities). Differences in incidence of severe acute toxicity and change in treatment plan between groups were examined.

Results: A total of 101 patients were included: 90.1% were male, and median age was 57 years. ACE-27 grading was none in 6.9% of patients, mild in 52.5%, moderate in 29.7%, and severe in 10.9%. Severe acute toxicities occurred more frequently in patients with moderate to severe comorbidities (75.6% versus 48.3%), with a statically significant difference (p = 0.006, OR 3.314, 95%-CI (1.382-7.944)). In the group with moderate to severe comorbidities, omission of at least one cisplatin cycle (75.6% versus 60.0%) and premature ending of radiotherapy (12.2% versus 5.0%) also occurred more frequently (p ≥ 0.05).

Conclusion: In patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy, the presence of moderate to severe comorbidities seems to correlate with higher incidences of severe acute toxicities. ACE-27 may identify patients at higher risk of major toxicities and assist decisions regarding treatment.