title: Serum biomarkers as potential predictors of antitumor activity of cetuximab-containing therapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer.
abstract: We sought to identify biomarkers of antitumor activity in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer treated with therapy containing cetuximab, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor. Patients with stage III-IVB head and neck cancer received cisplatin, docetaxel, and cetuximab (TPE) followed by radiotherapy, cisplatin, and cetuximab (XPE) and maintenance cetuximab in a phase II clinical trial. Serum and tissue biomarkers were examined for treatment-related changes and for association with clinical outcomes. Concentrations of 31 cytokines, chemokines and growth factors were measured before and after 3 cycles (9 weeks) of induction TPE using multi-analyte immunobead-based profiling (Luminex Corp., Austin, TX), with selected analytes validated by a single analyte enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Tumor biomarkers included phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (pSTAT3), EGFR and human papillomavirus (HPV). Thirty-one patients had baseline biomarkers and 25 had paired samples, pre- and post-TPE. Adjusting for false discovery, 14 analytes including MCP1c, IP-10, Leptin, interleukin (IL)-5, Eotaxin, IL-6, G-CSF, CXCL5 changed significantly post TPE induction. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and IL-6 levels were associated with tumor response as assessed by positron emission tomography and progression-free survival, however, the association was not significant after adjustment for false discovery. Analytes were not associated with toxicities, smoking history, HPV status, EGFR amplification, or pSTAT3 tumor protein levels. Baseline serum biomarkers, in particular VEGF and IL-6, were identified as potentially useful prognostic markers of cetuximab-containing therapy. Validation is warranted in future studies specifically designed to detect biomarker associations.
authors: Head and Neck Cancer Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, United States. argiris@uthscsa.edu
authors: Athanassios
authors: A
authors: Argiris
authors: Steve C
authors: SC
authors: Lee
authors: Trevor
authors: T
authors: Feinstein
authors: Sufi
authors: S
authors: Thomas
authors: Barton F
authors: BF
authors: Branstetter
authors: Raja
authors: R
authors: Seethala
authors: Lin
authors: L
authors: Wang
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Gooding
authors: Jennifer R
authors: JR
authors: Grandis
authors: Robert L
authors: RL
authors: Ferris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D000068818:Cetuximab; D018925:Chemokines / Q000097:blood; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000379:methods; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D043823:Taxoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D015850:Interleukin-6; D043823:Taxoids; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000077143:Docetaxel; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002945:Cisplatin