Tumor mutational burden predictability in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with immunotherapy: systematic review and meta-analysis

• DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04937-x
• Publication Date: 2024-02-04T14:01:58Z
• Authors: Juan P. Rodrigo; Mario Sánchez-Can...; María Otero-Rosales; Pablo Martínez-Ca...; Francisco Hermida...; Juana M. García-P...
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; R; Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; Review; Prognosis; Survival Analysis; Tumor mutational burden; Meta-analysis; Immune checkpoint inhibitors; 03 medical and health sciences; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Mutation; Biomarkers, Tumor; Medicine; Humans; Immunotherapy

Abstract Background Tumor mutational burden (TMB) has been demonstrated to predict the response immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in various cancers. However, role of TMB head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) not yet specifically addressed. Since HNSCC patients exhibit a rather limited ICIs, there is an unmet need develop predictive biomarkers improve patient selection criteria clinical benefit ICI treatment. Methods We conducted systematic review meta-analysis according Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. cohort studies were selected when prior treatment was evaluated, cutoff value available, prognostic evaluated by time-to-event survival analysis. A total 11 out 1960 articles analyzed, including 1200 patients. Results The results showed that those harboring high exhibited significantly superior overall rate (OR = 2.62; 95% CI 1.74–3.94; p < 0.0001) advantage (HR 0.53; 0.39–0.71; after Conclusion This first demonstrate higher from therapy with TMB. Graphical