Serum biomarkers as predictors of clinical outcome after cetuximab-based therapy in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN)

6035 Background: We correlated a panel of serum cytokines and growth factors with antitumor activity in patients (pts) with locally advanced SCCHN treated with cetuximab-based therapy. We have shown that similar biomarkers may be promising for the early detection of SCCHN (Linkov, Can Epi Biomarkers 2007). Methods: We used multi-analyte biomarker profiling for measurement of multiple serum biomarkers (Luminex Corp., Austin, TX). 39 pts with stage III-IVB SCCHN were treated with cisplatin, docetaxel, and cetuximab (TPE) for 3 cycles followed by radiotherapy, cisplatin, and cetuximab (XPE) and then maintenance cetuximab (Argiris, ASCO 2008, A6002). 31 cytokines and growth factors were measured before and after 3 cycles (9 weeks) of induction TPE. Clinical results were correlated with biomarkers, including 23 pts with PET response. Results: 31 pts had baseline biomarkers and 25 paired samples, pre- and post-TPE. Median follow-up was 22 months. Median age 54 years (21–74); male: 27; stage IV: 29; primary site...