Tislelizumab and Induction Chemotherapy for Larynx Preservation in Resectable Advanced Laryngeal/Hypopharyngeal Cancer

Historical studies have shown that induction chemotherapy can provide an opportunity to preserve the larynx in approximately 60-70% of patients with locally advanced laryngeal/hypopharynx carcinoma. Recently, phase I-II clinical studies have shown that induction of PD-1 inhibitors has a good pathological response in locally advanced head and neck cancer, with or without combined chemotherapy. However,the primary lesion and lymph nodes respond asynchronously or even in the opposite way to immune induction therapy. The primary lesion is more likely to achieve CR/PR, while the lymph nodes are more likely to show PR/SD or even PD. Therefore, the surgical or radiotherapy plan should be implemented according to the specific response of the primary lesion and metastatic lymph nodes to induction therapy. This study aimed to determine whether the combination of induction chemotherapy with a PD-1 inhibitor (Tislelizumab) followed by chemoradiotherapy or adaptive surgery can improve the rate of laryngeal preservation in patients with resectable laryngeal/hypopharynx cancer.

Inclusion criteria

• Pathologically confirmed, resectable locally advanced laryngeal/hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (T2-4a, N0-resectable N3, M0);
• Age between 18-70 years;
• Had at least one measurable lesion according to RECIST 1.1 criteria;
• Anticipated overall survival more than 3 months;
• Satisfactory performance status: ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) scale 0-1;
• Normal organ function;
• Male and no pregnant female, able to adapt birth control methods during treatment;
• Signed inform consent;

Exclusion criteria

• Hypersensitivity to tislelizumab, Paclitaxel or Cisplatin.
• Received anti-tumor treatment in the past 6 months, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, surgery, immunotherapy.
• Suffered from malignant tumors, except cervical carcinoma in situ, papillary thyroid carcinoma, or skin cancer (non- melanoma) within five years.
• There is distant metastasis.
• Active autoimmune diseases, history of autoimmune diseases (such as interstitial pneumonia, colitis, hepatitis, hypophysitis, vasculitis, nephritis, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, including but not limited to these diseases or syndromes); but excludes autoimmune-mediated hypothyroidism on stable doses of thyroid replacement hormone; type 1 diabetes on stable doses of insulin; vitiligo or resolved childhood asthma/allergies, Patients who do not require any intervention after adulthood.
• Known history of primary immunodeficiency (including positive HIV test, or suffering from other acquired or congenital immunodeficiency diseases, or history of organ transplantation and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation);
• Severe infection occurred within 4 weeks before the first use of the study drug, such as severe pneumonia requiring hospitalization, bacteremia, infection complications, etc.
• The subject has severe liver and kidney dysfunction, HIV infection, HCV infection, uncontrolled clinical symptoms or diseases of the heart, such as: heart failure above NYHA grade II or echocardiography，showing left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%; unstable angina; myocardial infarction within 1 year; patients with clinically significant supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias requiring clinical，intervention (including QTc interval ≥ 470 ms); uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled Patients with high blood pressure, hypertensive crisis or hypertensive encephalopathy or other diseases considered by the researchers to be ineligible.
• Patients with untreated chronic hepatitis B or chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA exceeding 500 IU/ml, or patients with active hepatitis C virus (HCV) should be excluded; inactive hepatitis B surface Antigen carriers, treated and stable hepatitis B patients (HBV DNA<500IU/ml), and cured hepatitis C patients can be enrolled.
• Have a history of interstitial lung disease (excluding radiation pneumonitis that has not been treated with hormones) and non-infectious pneumonia.
• Active tuberculosis infection was found through medical history or CT examination, or patients with a history of active tuberculosis infection within 1 year before enrollment, or patients with a history of active tuberculosis infection more than 1 year ago but without formal treatment.
• Patients who have received any of the following treatments (1) Subjects who need to be given corticosteroids (> 10 mg prednisone equivalent dose per day) or other immunosuppressants for systemic treatment within 2 weeks before the first use of the study drug, except for local inflammation and prevention of allergies and nausea, Cases of use of corticosteroids for vomiting. In the absence of active autoimmune disease, corticosteroid replacement with inhaled or topical steroids and curative doses of prednisone >10 mg/day is permitted; (2) Have been vaccinated against tumors; those who have been vaccinated or have been vaccinated with live vaccines within 4 weeks before the first administration of the study drug; (3) Received major surgery or severe trauma within 4 weeks before the first use of the study drug; (4) Enrolled in another clinical study at the same time.
• Pregnant and lactating women. Women of childbearing age must take a pregnancy test within 7 days before enrollment Negative.
• Substance abuse, clinical or psychological or social factors that hinder informed consent or research conduct influences.
• Any uncertain factors affecting the safety or compliance of the subjects.