Head and Neck Cancers
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Sep 14 – Sep 21, 2026
Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma With PD-L1 Combined Positive Score Less Than 1: A Bayesian Meta-Analysis.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
This Bayesian meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in 630 patients with recurrent/metastatic or locally advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) with PD-L1 Combined Positive Score less than 1, comparing ICI-based regimens to standard non-ICI therapy across 7 randomized trials. Key findings indicate a high probability that ICIs were associated with reduced overall survival (OS) in this subgroup, with a Bayesian HR for OS of 1.43 (95% CrI, 0.97-2.07) and a 96.2% posterior probability of HR exceeding 1.0. For recurrent/metastatic HNSCC, the Bayesian HR for OS was 1.42 (95% CrI, 0.93-2.06), with a 95.6% probability of HR > 1.0. These results suggest that ICIs may be detrimental in this specific HNSCC population, warranting cautious use and further validation.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.3626
PDS0101 With Pembrolizumab in HPV16-Positive Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Phase 2 Nonrandomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
This phase 2 nonrandomized trial evaluated PDS0101, an HPV16-targeted immunotherapy, plus pembrolizumab in 75 evaluable patients with HPV16-positive recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In 53 immune checkpoint inhibitor-naive patients, the objective response rate was 34.0%, median progression-free survival 5.3 months, and median overall survival 39.3 months; no responses occurred in 22 ICI-resistant patients, though median overall survival was 14.8 months. Grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events occurred in 13.8%. These findings support further evaluation of this combination in the first-line setting for HPV16-positive disease.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.3492
Aug 10 – Aug 17, 2026
Biomarker-Stratified Phase II Trial of Trastuzumab Rezetecan in Advanced Salivary Gland Carcinoma Across Cohorts With High and Low Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Expression.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This phase II trial evaluated trastuzumab rezetecan (SHR-A1811), a HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugate, in 46 patients with advanced salivary gland carcinoma (SGC), stratified into HER2-high and HER2-low cohorts. The confirmed objective response rate (ORR) was 91.7% (95% CI, 73.0 to 99.0) in the HER2-high cohort and 45.5% (95% CI, 24.4 to 67.8) in the HER2-low cohort. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were not reached in HER2-high, while HER2-low showed 12.7 months PFS and 21.3 months OS. SHR-A1811 demonstrated high antitumor activity in HER2-high SGC and promising activity in HER2-low SGC with a manageable safety profile, offering a potential new systemic treatment option for this cancer.
10.1200/JCO-26-00671
Aug 03 – Aug 10, 2026
Darolutamide Alone and in Combination With Goserelin in Androgen Receptor-Positive Salivary Gland Carcinoma: Results From the Phase II DISCOVARY Trial.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This phase II trial (DISCOVARY) evaluated the efficacy and safety of darolutamide, an androgen receptor inhibitor, as monotherapy or combined with goserelin in 57 patients with AR-positive salivary gland carcinoma. Results showed a confirmed objective response rate (ORR) of 45.2% and median progression-free survival (PFS) of 13.1 months for the combination therapy, compared to 8.3% ORR and 5.7 months PFS for monotherapy. The combination treatment demonstrated significant antitumor activity with a manageable safety profile, primarily consisting of grade 1 or 2 adverse events and preserved quality of life. These findings suggest that darolutamide plus goserelin provides a viable chemotherapy-sparing treatment strategy for patients with this rare and aggressive malignancy.
10.1200/JCO-25-03028