RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF NIMOTUZUMAB VS CHEMOTHERAPY IN LOCALLY ADVANCED HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA PATIENTS RECEIVING CONCURRENT RADIOTHERAPY

Background: In advanced malignancies, it is important to ensure that the quality of life is not comprised, when treating the disease. Therfore there is immense need for the data on the QOL parameters for the newer agents/indications. In view of the paucity of data for the Nimotuzumab, we thought of conducting a retrospective data analysis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma Methods: This is a multi institutional, two arm retrospective data collection exercise done in subjects with head and neck cancer stage III or less receiving radical radiotherapy(IMRT) with either nimotuzumab or chemotherapy (weekly cisplatin) between 2015-2018 with three years follow up.  Standard format for the QOL (a part of dissertation thesis by PG) was used for analysis along with demographics and outcome in terms of clinical data and survival. Results: During the study period a total of 84 subjects were meeting the criteria for the study and the case records were retrived with 1:1 case/control (matched population) for stage, age and other variables. Response rate was higher in the Nimotuzumab arm (86% versus 81%; P=NS).. No differences were observed in median progression-free survival and overall survival. Nimotuzimab had better TWIST score of 653+238vs 508+173 (Mean+ SD) days and better overall QOL score improvement 4.6+1.5 vs 3.1+1.3 points(Mean+ SD)compared to the cisplatin arm Conclusions: The results indicate that, though more expensive, the Nimotuzumab scores over the conventional cisplatin (weekly) in terms of better response rates, Quality of life TWIST score and ease of administration. However retrospective nature of the data nd the subject selection bias remain a major challenge for this study, which can be addressed in future prospective trials. Keywords: concurrent, nimotuzumab, chemotherapy , head and neck caners