Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD, director of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center, Hillman Professor of Oncology, associate vice chancellor for cancer research, professor of otolaryngology, immunology, and radiation oncology, co-director, Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, discusses the safety profile of transoral robotic surgical resection in oropharynx cancer.

, findings from the phase 2 ECOG-ACRIN E3311 trial showed that transoral resection is safe and can provide good oncologic outcome for patients with p16-positive oropharynx cancer. Moreover, the results suggest that transoral surgery could be a valid deintensification approach.

Historically, some patients have experienced severe, life-threatening bleeding following transoral surgical resection, explains Ferris.

The rate of severe bleeding among 519 patients in this study was around 5% to 6% with 1 patient death, said Ferris.  

Additionally, rates of positive margins following transoral surgical resection was low, at around 3% to 4%, Ferris concludes. 

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Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD, discusses the safety profile of transoral robotic surgical resection in oropharynx cancer.  



Dr. Ferris on the Safety Profile of Transoral Robotic Surgical Resection in Oropharynx Cancer 

Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD, director of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center, Hillman Professor of Oncology, associate vice chancellor for cancer research, professor of otolaryngology, immunology, and radiation oncology, co-director, Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, discusses ongoing research with STING agonists and checkpoint inhibitors in head and neck cancer.

The ongoing phase 2 ADU-CL-20 trial (NCT03937141) is evaluating the efficacy and safety of intralesional ADU-S100/MIW815 in combination with pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in patients with PD-L1—positive recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer.

In the trial, patients will receive pembrolizumab intravenously at a standard dose and schedule and ADU-S100/MIW815 intralesionally.

The goal of the trial is to determine whether lymphocyte infiltration and inflammatory biomarkers such as interferon gamma increase with the addition of the STING agonist injection, explains Ferris.

If the combination improves clinical outcomes for patients, the regimen may be investigated in earlier lines of treatment for patients with less heavily pretreated disease, says Ferris.

Additionally, further research is needed to determine whether it is possible to resensitize patients who develop acquired resistance to immunotherapy to this regimen, concludes Ferris.

Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD, discusses ongoing research with STING agonists and checkpoint inhibitors in head and neck cancer.

Dr. Ferris on Ongoing Research With STING Agonists/Checkpoint Inhibitors in Head and Neck Cancer

Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD, director of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center, Hillman Professor of Oncology, associate vice chancellor for cancer research, professor of otolaryngology, immunology, and radiation oncology, co-director, Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, discusses a clinical trial testing ADU-S100/MIW815 plus pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in patients with head and neck cancer.

PD-1 inhibitors are a standard of care for patients with recurrent metastatic head and neck cancer, says Ferris. STING agonists could potentiate the activity of PD-1 inhibitors. To that end, investigators launched the ongoing ADU-CL-20 trial (NCT03937141), which is evaluating the efficacy and safety of combining the STING agonist ADU-S100/MIW815 with pembrolizumab in patients with PD-L1—positive recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

In the trial, patients will receive pembrolizumab intravenously at a standard dose and schedule and ADU-S100/MIW815 intralesionally, concludes Ferris.

Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD, director of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center, Hillman Professor of Oncology, associate vice chancellor for cancer research, professor of otolaryngology, immunology, and radiation oncology, co-director, Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, discusses a clinical trial testing ADU-S100/MIW815 plus pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in patients with head and neck cancer.


Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD

Articles

Dr. Ferris on the Safety Profile of Transoral Robotic Surgical Resection in Oropharynx Cancer

Dr. Ferris on Ongoing Research With STING Agonists/Checkpoint Inhibitors in Head and Neck Cancer

Dr. Ferris on a Trial Testing ADU-S100/MIW815/Pembrolizumab in Head and Neck Cancer