In this video brief, Dr. Hecht discusses results from the randomized phase 2 KEYNOTE-717 trial evaluating whether hypofractionated radiotherapy (RT) to a single lesion could potentiate systemic pembrolizumab efficacy in recurrent or metastatic HNSCC. The study met its prespecified endpoint, with a higher overall response rate in unirradiated lesions for RT plus pembrolizumab vs pembrolizumab alone. Median duration of response and overall survival were similar between arms, and no grade 5 treatment-related adverse events occurred. These findings suggest that localized RT can enhance immune-mediated systemic tumor responses when combined with pembrolizumab.
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KEYNOTE-717: Randomized Phase 2 Trial of Adding Local Hypofractionated Radiotherapy to Pembrolizumab in Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer
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KEYNOTE-717: Randomized Phase 2 Trial of Adding Local Hypofractionated Radiotherapy to Pembrolizumab in Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer
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KEYNOTE-717: Randomized Phase 2 Trial of Adding Local Hypofractionated Radiotherapy to Pembrolizumab in Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer
closeTranscript
KEYNOTE-717: Randomized Phase 2 Trial of Adding Local Hypofractionated Radiotherapy to Pembrolizumab in Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer
closeAnnouncer:
Welcome to DataPulse from ESMO 2025 on ReachMD. This activity, titled “KEYNOTE-717: Randomized Phase 2 Trial of Adding Local Hypofractionated Radiotherapy to Pembrolizumab in Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer” is provided by Prova Education.
Dr. Hecht:
Welcome from the ESMO 2025 conference in Berlin. My name is Dr. Markus Hecht, and I will present you the results of the KEYNOTE-717 trial.
The trial studied if local radiotherapy to a single tumor lesion can increase the systemic response rate to pembrolizumab in metastatic head and neck cancer.
The trial was planned as a randomized phase 2 trial, and patients were randomized to receive either pembrolizumab monotherapy or the combination with radiotherapy up to 36 Gy delivered into 12 fractions. As we had learned from preclinical experiments that timing is essential when these both treatments are combined to induce abscopal effects, there was a strict time schedule in the delivery of radiotherapy and pembrolizumab.
Altogether, 115 patients were enrolled, and the primary endpoint of the trial was the response rate according to iRECIST criteria. In the analysis, we found an overall response rate of 35% in the combination arm compared to 22% in the control arm, which met the predefined level for statistical significance. The trial met its primary endpoint. Secondary analysis of overall survival showed there was no difference in both arms, whereas the trial was not powered for this endpoint. So taken together, radiotherapy increased the response rate to pembrolizumab in metastatic head and neck cancer, whereas this did not transfer into a survival benefit.
The conclusion is, at the moment, this has no impact on the clinical standard treatments; however, it showed that abscopal effects exist in head and neck cancer in combination with immunotherapy, and this direction should be continued for future research projects.
Announcer:
Thank you for listening to this DataPulse from ESMO 2025 on ReachMD. This activity is provided by Prova Education. Thank you for listening.
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Prova Education designs and executes continuing education founded on evidence-based medicine, clinical need, gap analysis, learner feedback, and more. Our mission is to serve as an inventive and relevant resource for clinical content and educational interventions across a broad spectrum of specialties. Prova Education's methodology demonstrates a commitment to continuing medical education and the innovative assessment of its effects. Our goal is clear—to develop and deliver the best education in the most impactful manner and to verify its results with progressive outcomes research.Commercial Support
This activity is supported by an independent educational grant from Merck.
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Overview
In this video brief, Dr. Hecht discusses results from the randomized phase 2 KEYNOTE-717 trial evaluating whether hypofractionated radiotherapy (RT) to a single lesion could potentiate systemic pembrolizumab efficacy in recurrent or metastatic HNSCC. The study met its prespecified endpoint, with a higher overall response rate in unirradiated lesions for RT plus pembrolizumab vs pembrolizumab alone. Median duration of response and overall survival were similar between arms, and no grade 5 treatment-related adverse events occurred. These findings suggest that localized RT can enhance immune-mediated systemic tumor responses when combined with pembrolizumab.
Provider(s)/Educational Partner(s)
Prova Education designs and executes continuing education founded on evidence-based medicine, clinical need, gap analysis, learner feedback, and more. Our mission is to serve as an inventive and relevant resource for clinical content and educational interventions across a broad spectrum of specialties. Prova Education's methodology demonstrates a commitment to continuing medical education and the innovative assessment of its effects. Our goal is clear—to develop and deliver the best education in the most impactful manner and to verify its results with progressive outcomes research.Commercial Support
This activity is supported by an independent educational grant from Merck.
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Show more - video
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Show more - video
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