Phase II Evaluation of Sorafenib in Advanced and Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: Southwest Oncology Group Study S0420

Purpose We conducted a phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of single-agent sorafenib in chemotherapy-naïve patients with metastatic or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). The primary end point was response probability (ie, confirmed complete and partial response [PR]). Patients and Methods Chemotherapy-naïve patients with metastatic, persistent, or recurrent SCCHN who received one induction or fewer or received an adjuvant chemotherapy regimen, who had adequate organ function, and who had a performance status ≤ 1 were eligible. Sorafenib was administered orally at 400 mg twice daily on a continuous basis in 28-day cycles. Responses were evaluated according to RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors). Results Sorafenib was generally well tolerated. Of the 41 eligible patients assessed for adverse events, one experienced a grade 4 adverse event as a result of an asymptomatic pulmonary embolus. The most common grades 2 to 3 adverse events were fatigue, anorexia, stomatitis/oral pain, abdominal pain, hand-foot syndrome, weight loss, and hypertension. There was one confirmed PR and two unconfirmed PRs. The estimated confirmed response probability was 2% (95% CI, 0% to 13%). The estimated median progression-free survival was 4 months (95% CI, 2 to 4 months), and the estimated median overall survival was 9 months (95% CI, 7 to 14 months). Conclusion Sorafenib was well tolerated. Although response was poor, progression-free and overall survival times compare favorably with previous Southwest Oncology Group, phase II, single-agent trials.