Neoadjuvant Immunochemotherapy and Postoperative Adjuvant Immunotherapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Invading the Skull Base

Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phasePhase 2
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-80
SponsorSun Yat-sen University

About this trial

This prospective, single-arm, Phase II clinical trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tislelizumab combined with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant therapy and postoperative adjuvant immunotherapy in patients with skull base-invading head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The primary objectives are to address the following questions:

* What are the objective response rate and pathological response of tislelizumab combined with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant therapy in patients with skull base-invading head and neck squamous cell carcinoma? * Can neoadjuvant therapy convert unresectable skull base-invading head and neck squamous cell carcinoma into a resectable condition? * Can adjuvant immunotherapy after neoadjuvant therapy prolong patients' recurrence-free survival and overall survival? The researchers will administer neoadjuvant therapy (tislelizumab combined with chemotherapy) and adjuvant immunotherapy to patients with skull base-invading head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and assess the treatment's efficacy and safety.

Participants will:

* Receive neoadjuvant therapy every 3 weeks (tislelizumab 200mg on Day 1, nab-paclitaxel 260mg/m² on Day 1, cisplatin 75mg/m² on Days 1-3) for 3 cycles. * Undergo surgical treatment within 3 weeks after completing neoadjuvant therapy. * Receive (chemo)radiotherapy 4-6 weeks after surgery. * Receive adjuvant immunotherapy (tislelizumab 200mg) every 3 weeks after (chemo)radiotherapy for 8 cycles.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Age 18 to 80 years, regardless of gender;

Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma (including gingiva, buccal mucosa, palate, oropharynx, maxillary sinus, or maxilla/mandible) with radiological evidence of skull base invasion;

Measurable tumor lesions (meeting RECIST v1.1 criteria);

Treatment-naïve primary T4b-stage patients (N any, per AJCC 8th Edition, 2017);

Disqualifiers

Previous anti-tumor treatments including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy; Refusal to sign informed consent;

Patients who refuse the study treatment protocol; patients unable to complete treatment as planned; or patients unable to comply with regular follow-up due to psychological, social, familial or geographical reasons;

Patients with known allergies to any study medications;

Patients with poor systemic conditions unfit for treatment: as determined by routine tests (complete blood count, blood biochemistry, ECG, chest X-ray, etc.). Poor systemic conditions include: hemoglobin <60g/L, WBC <3.0×10⁹/L, platelets <80×10⁹/L, or serum creatinine >133μmol/L - such patients may be recommended for conservative treatment;

Trial design

Design model

Single group

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy

    Procedure/Surgery

    * Neoadjuvant therapy is administered every 3 weeks (Tislelizumab 200mg D1, Nab Paclitaxel 260mg/m² D1, Cisplatin 75mg/m² D1-3) for a total of 3 cycles. * Surgical treatment is performed within 3 weeks after completing neoadjuvant therapy. * Postoperative (chemo)radiotherapy is initiated 4-6 weeks after surgery. * Following (chemo)radiotherapy, adjuvant immunotherapy (Tislelizumab 200mg) is administered every 3 weeks for a total of 8 cycles.

  • Tislelizumab Nab paclitaxel

    Drug

    Neoadjuvant therapy is administered every 3 weeks (Tislelizumab 200mg D1, Nab Paclitaxel 260mg/m² D1, Cisplatin 75mg/m² D1-3) for a total of 3 cycles.

Treatment groups

24 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment group
Group A: Treatment groupExperimental treatment 2 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Objective response rate

Objective Response Rate (ORR) is a pivotal efficacy endpoint in oncology therapeutic evaluation, defined as the proportion of patients whose tumor burden shrinks to a prespecified threshold (achieving either complete or partial response). This metric is measured using internationally standardized criteria (RECIST 1.1), with radiographic imaging to monitor changes in the sum of target lesion diameters. Based on Standardized Criteria (e.g., RECIST 1.1). Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Partial Response (PR): ≥30% decrease in tumor size (sum of target lesions). ORR = CR + PR (expressed as a percentage).

Time frame
Within 3 weeks after completion of neoadjuvant therapy

Secondary outcomes

1

Number of participants with Adverse Events

To evaluate the adverse events during the study period according to the NCI-CTCAE, version 5.0, including vital signs, physical examination, laboratory tests, changes in ECOG score, etc., as well as adverse events and serious adverse events, are calculated to the incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events.

Time frame
Until 21 days after the end of the study
2

Pathologic Efficacy

The percentage of residual tumor cells in tumor bed of pathological specimens after surgery. Pathological complete response (pCR) refers to tumors the absence of any viable tumor cells within the tumor bed. Major pathological response (MPR) is defined as 10% or fewer residual viable tumor cells within the tumor bed.

Time frame
Perioperative
3

Clinical Downstaging Rate

The proportion of patients with reduction in clinical TNM stage.

Time frame
Within 3 weeks after completion of neoadjuvant therapy.
4

Surgical Conversion Rate

The proportion of patients with initially unresectable tumors that become resectable after treatment.

Time frame
Within 3 weeks after completion of neoadjuvant therapy.

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

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