Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We report on the biomarker analyses focusing on neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLR) in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with combined cetuximab and nivolumab. METHODS: Data were obtained from a phase II trial (NCT03370276). Peripheral blood NLR was obtained at baseline (B-NLR) and on-treatment (OT-NLR; 1 mo from treatment initiation). Tumor NLR (T-NLR) was determined by staining of immune cells in primary tumors. Patients were stratified into high (≥median) or low NLR (