HCG Bengaluru Hospital’s breakthrough in low dose immunotherapy for head and neck cancer

As part of the pilot study, a total of 12 cases were studied between the age group of 54 to 76 years. All twelve patients experienced significant tumor reduction of over 90 per cent

HCG Cancer Hospital Bengaluru has announced a groundbreaking pilot study to transform the treatment landscape for head and neck cancer patients with low dose immunotherapy. The pilot study on Low Dose Immunotherapy Nivolumab with NACT has demonstrated remarkable efficacy and is highly cost-effective, providing an economical therapy option without additional side effects.

The multicentric, open-labeled, prospective, randomised study assesses the effectiveness of neoadjuvant therapy combining low-dose immunotherapy Nivolumab and the TPF regimen (docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil) compared to NACT with the TPF regimen alone. It has a potential role in improving the quality of life and longevity of patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the buccal mucosa.

As part of the pilot study, a total of 12 cases were studied between the age group of 54 to 76 years. All twelve patients experienced significant tumor reduction of over 90 per cent, providing an economical and side-effect-free therapy through low-dose immunotherapy. In the pilot study, standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy is combined with low-dose Nivolumab immunotherapy, administering 40 mg every two weeks, as opposed to the full dose of 3 mg per kg of body weight.

Dr B S Ajaikumar, Executive Chairman of Healthcare Global Enterprises Limited, said, “Cancer is fast becoming a chronic disease, and a sea change has occurred in how we stage cancer as we adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment. At HCG, head and neck cancer cases represent a significant portion of the caseload. Despite the comprehensive approach, preventing the recurrence and spread of these cancers remains a significant challenge. Today, with this announcement, we embark on a journey to revolutionize head and neck cancer treatment. This study has the potential to be a game-changer in the sphere of head and neck cancer treatment. The initiative reflects HCG’s commitment to advancing research and academia in India, positioning the organisation as a leader in this vital healthcare domain.”