879P - Targeted next-generation sequencing reveals CDKN2A alterations as a prognostic biomarker in recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma mostly treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

Background

To screen potential biomarkers in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with a subgroup analysis based on the patients treated with immunotherapy and examine the prognostic significance of CDKN2A mutations.

Methods

This single-center retrospective study analyzed the Foundation Medicine (FM) next-generation sequencing (NGS) data from patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC who underwent NGS between January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021. The patients were grouped according to CDKN2A loss-of-function (LOF) vs. wild-type (WT). A subgroup analysis was performed on the patients treated with immunotherapy.

Results

Seventy-seven patients (62 with immunotherapy) were included. The median follow-up was 22.6 months. The median OS was 16.5 months in the CDKN2A LOF group and 30.0 months in the CDKN2A WT group (P=0.014). The female sex (HR=4.526, 95%CI: 1.934-10.180, P=0.0003) and CDKN2A LOF (HR=2.311, 95%CI: 1.156-4.748, P=0.019) were independently associated with mortality in patients with recurrent or metastatic HNCSS. In patients with immunotherapy, the median OS was 19.8 months, or 11.7 months in the CDKN2A LOF group and 22.5 months in the CDKN2A WT group (P=0.017). The female sex (HR=4.022, 95%CI: 1.417-10.710, P=0.006), CDKN2A LOF (HR=4.389, 95%CI: 1.782-11.460, P=0.002), and CPS <1 (HR=17.20, 95%CI: 4.134-79.550, P<0.0001) were independently associated with mortality in patients with recurrent or metastatic HNCSS treated with immunotherapy.

Conclusions

LOF alterations in the CDKN2A gene are independently associated with poor survival in patients with HNSCC, including those treated with immunotherapy.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

Ye Guo.

Funding

Beijing CSCO Clinical Oncology Research Foundation (NO.Y-XD2019-069,2019.07-2021.07).

Disclosure

Y. Guo: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Merck Serono, Roche, MSD, BMS, BeiGene. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.