Assessment of drug utilization patterns and associated survival outcomes in recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC): Insights from a resource-constrained set-up
Observational study evaluates drug utilization and survival in recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer, indicating cost-effective metronomic regimens optimize palliative outcomes.
Key Points
To evaluate chemotherapy drug utilization patterns and associated survival outcomes in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated in a resource-constrained setting.
Prospective observational study conducted over a one-year period.
Recruited 112 patients aged 18–80 years with histologically confirmed R/M HNSCC and ECOG performance status 0–2 receiving palliative intent therapy.
The most common chemotherapy regimens were oral triple metronomic chemotherapy (31.19%), low-dose nivolumab plus oral metronomic chemotherapy (27.5%), paclitaxel and carboplatin with triple metronomic chemotherapy (20.5%), and paclitaxel plus carboplatin (19.7%).
Median progression-free survival was 9 months (95% CI, 8.5–10.2), with grade 3 adverse events occurring in less than 12% of patients.
Full-dose immunotherapy-based combination regimens accounted for 81.91% of the total treatment costs.