Chemotherapy after immune checkpoint blockade in patients with recurrent, metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Abstract Objectives Given that immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are now preferred agents in first-line treatment of recurrent/metastatic (R/M) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), we retrospectively studied outcomes on post-ICI therapies. Materials and methods We collected data from the medical records of 60 patients with R/M SCCHN who received ICIs followed by at least one further line of cytotoxic or biologic therapy at our institution from 2014 to 2019. We also compared outcomes with those of historical trials in the ICI-naive, second-line or greater setting. Results Patients who received platinum-based regimens as their post-ICI therapies experienced improved overall response (ORR) (50% versus 10%, p  Conclusions Platinum- and 5-FU-based doublet or triplet regimens may be superior options in the post-ICI setting. Immunotherapy re-challenge following ICI therapy may also be a reasonable option.