2026 ESMO Abstract: Perioperative Toripalimab Plus Cetuximab in Locally Recurrent Resectable HNSCC Shows 73.1% 1-Year EFS Rate

Abstract 1541RO at the 2026 ESMO Congress reports that perioperative toripalimab plus cetuximab met its preset target in locally recurrent resectable HNSCC, with a 1-year EFS rate of 73.1%. The prospective single-arm phase II study (NCT05586100) enrolled 52 patients; with a median follow-up of 21.0 months, the 3-year EFS rate was 59.6% and the OS rate 80.8%. Neoadjuvant ORR was 61.5%, and the pCR rate among operated patients was 20.4%. No grade 4-5 TRAEs occurred, and the rate of grade >=3 TRAEs was 11.5%.