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Hypothyroidism in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients Receiving Radiotherapy With or Without Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Author(s) -
Leddon Jennifer L.,
Chirra Martina,
Frankart Andrew J.,
Agrawal Arushi,
Roof Logan,
Trotier Danny,
Shaikh Hira,
Stone Timothy,
Jandarov Roman,
Takiar Vinita,
WiseDraper Trisha M.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.29451
Subject(s) - medicine , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , retrospective cohort study , oncology , radiation therapy , cohort , head and neck cancer , discontinuation
Objectives/Hypothesis Hypothyroidism is a relatively common complication of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment. The objective of this study was to determine whether the addition of programmed death ligand‐1 (PD‐1) or programmed death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1) inhibition (anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 therapy) to standard treatment increases the risk of hypothyroidism in HNSCC. Study Design Retrospective Cohort. Methods This is a retrospective, single institutional cohort study. Patients who received radiotherapy (RT) for HNSCC were identified in the electronic medical record. Patient factors collected include age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, alcohol use, Charlson comorbidity index, and HNSCC treatment records. The rate of hypothyroidism for patients with HNSCC receiving RT (+/− chemotherapy and surgery) (RT group, n = 101) was compared to that of HNSCC patients receiving RT (+/− chemotherapy and surgery) + anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 therapy, either concurrently or after RT (RT + anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 group, n = 38). Results There was no significant difference in the rate of clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism between the two groups. Multinomial logistic regression found no significant difference in hypothyroidism based on age, sex, or BMI. Conclusions The addition of anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 therapy to standard HNSCC treatment does not significantly increase the risk of developing hypothyroidism. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope , 131:E2413–E2419, 2021