Immune-checkpoint inhibitors versus other systemic therapies in advanced head and neck cancer: a network meta-analysis.

Abstract

Aim: We assessed the efficiency of immune checkpoint inhibitors relative to other systemic therapies in previously treated recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer. Materials & methods: Relative treatment effects were assessed from eligible randomized controlled trials using Bayesian network meta-analyses. Results: Among 15 trials evaluating 14 treatments, nivolumab achieved the best overall survival (OS) benefit; zalutumumab and buparlisib\xa0+\xa0paclitaxel provided the best progression-free survival benefit and objective response rate. Buparlisib\xa0+\xa0paclitaxel and zalutumumab were associated with the best OS rate at 6 and 12\xa0months, respectively; nivolumab yielded the best OS rate at 18-24\xa0months. Conclusion: Nivolumab was the most favorable treatment. Zalutumumab and buparlisib\xa0+\xa0paclitaxel had better efficiency, and might be a better selection for patients with programmed death-ligand 1-low/negative tumors than other treatments.