Safety and efficacy of panitumumab (pmab) in HPV-positive (+) and HPV-negative (-) recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN): Analysis of the global phase III SPECTRUM trial.
5504^ Background: SPECTRUM evaluated the safety and efficacy of pmab, a fully human monoclonal antibody against the epidermal growth factor receptor, with platinum‑based chemotherapy (CT) vs CT alone in patients (pts) with R/M SCCHN. This predefined analysis presents outcomes by tumor HPV status. Methods: All tumor samples were centrally reviewed. HPV status was determined using a validated immunohistochemistry assay to p16INK4A by an independent lab blinded to treatment assignments. Tumor samples were scored positive or negative according to prespecified criteria. Results: Of 657 enrolled pts (ITT), 443 (67%) had samples evaluable for HPV testing. Ninety‑nine (22%) tumors were HPV+ and 344 (78%) were HPV-. HPV+ rates varied by site (37% oropharynx, 19% larynx, 15% oral cavity, and 13% hypopharynx) and geographic region (44% N America, 22% W Europe, 21% Asia Pacific, 19% S America, and 18% E Europe). Demographics were generally balanced except pts with HPV+ vs HPV- tumors were more often non‑smokers (31% vs 14%), had oropharyngeal tumors (47% vs 23%), and had poorly differentiated tumors (30% vs 13%). Efficacy results are shown (Table). Adverse events were generally balanced between HPV+ and HPV- pts. Conclusions: Pts with HPV- R/M SCCHN administered pmab + CT had improved overall survival (OS) and progression‑free survival (PFS), whereas no improvement in OS or PFS was observed in pts with HPV+ tumors. [Table: see text]