Circulating low density neutrophils are associated with resistance to anti‐PD1 immunotherapy in squamous head and neck cancer

Abstract

BackgroundIdentification of predictive biomarkers to Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in head and neck cancer (HNSCC) is an unmet need.MethodsThis was a prospective observational study including 25 patients with HNSCC treated with immunotherapy or chemotherapy after a prior platinum‐based regimen. Low density neutrophils (LDNs) and serum markers were analyzed.ResultsIn the immunotherapy cohort, patients with high LDN levels had a shorter progression free survival (PFS) (1.8 months vs. 10.9 months; *p = 0.034). Also, progressors showed higher percentage of LDNs compared to non‐progressors although significance was not reached (mean 20.68% vs. 4.095%, p = 0.0875). These findings were not replicated in patients treated with chemotherapy. High levels of interleukin‐7 (IL7) were correlated with a significantly longer overall survival (OS) (13.47 months 3.51 vs. months, *p = 0.013).ConclusionsHigh baseline circulating LDNs and low IL7 could identify a subset of patients intrinsically refractory to ICIs as monotherapy in HNSCC.