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Tohoku Univ. Technology ：A Diagnostic Test Enabling Precision Oncology in Head and Neck Cancer：T25-030

Predicts Therapeutic Response to ICI and Anti-EGFR Antibody Treatments

For patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M-HNSCC), first-line therapy usually involves pembrolizumab (an immune checkpoint inhibitor; ICI) with chemotherapy (5-FU plus cisplatin/carboplatin), or pembrolizumab alone for PD-L1–positive cases defined by the combined positive score (CPS). As a second-line option, cetuximab (anti-EGFR antibody) plus paclitaxel (CET+PTX) is commonly used. Our study revealed that responses to pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy and subsequent CET+PTX are inversely associated in R/M-HNSCC, and that activation of the JAK–STAT pathway, particularly STAT3 phosphorylation, marks tumors resistant to pembrolizumab-based therapy but sensitive to CET+PTX. This diagnostic approach uses these biomarkers to guide treatment sequencing after ICI.