Predictors of therapeutic response and pain after near-infrared photoimmunotherapy in head and neck cancer

IF 1.7 4区医学 Q2 OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY

American Journal of Otolaryngology Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2026-04-23 DOI:10.1016/j.amjoto.2026.104848

Junya Matsumoto, Takuma Makino, Yuto Naoi, Shohei Fujimoto, Mizuo Ando

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Abstract

Objective

Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) has been approved by the Japanese national health insurance for approximately five years, and clinical experience has steadily accumulated. However, reports analyzing treatment outcomes and pain-related factors remain limited. This study aimed to identify predictors of therapeutic response and pain following NIR-PIT.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 25 patients who underwent NIR-PIT for head and neck cancer between January 2021 and June 2025. Lesion diameter and thickness were evaluated in relation to complete response (CR), and the frequency and predictors of post-treatment pain were assessed.

Results

Among 22 evaluable patients, eight achieved CR. Lesions with a shorter longest diameter and thinner thickness were significantly associated with higher CR rates (p = 0.011 and p = 0.024). Moderate-to-severe pain (Numerical Rating Scale ≥4) occurred in 18 of 48 treatment cycles (37.5%) but was significantly less frequent in patients with a history of reconstructive surgery (p = 0.017).

Conclusions

NIR-PIT demonstrated particularly favorable efficacy for short, thin lesions, suggesting that early introduction of treatment may be associated with improved therapeutic outcomes. A history of reconstructive surgery was associated with reduced post-treatment pain, highlighting the importance of individualized treatment and pain management strategies in head and neck cancer patients undergoing NIR-PIT.

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头颈癌近红外光免疫治疗后治疗反应和疼痛的预测因素

目的近红外光免疫疗法（NIR-PIT）获得日本国民健康保险批准已近5年，临床经验不断积累。然而，分析治疗结果和疼痛相关因素的报告仍然有限。本研究旨在确定NIR-PIT后治疗反应和疼痛的预测因素。方法本回顾性队列研究纳入了25例在2021年1月至2025年6月期间因头颈癌接受NIR-PIT治疗的患者。评估病变直径和厚度与完全缓解（CR）的关系，评估治疗后疼痛的频率和预测因素。结果22例可评估患者中，8例达到CR，最长直径越短、厚度越薄病变CR率越高（p = 0.011和p = 0.024）。中度至重度疼痛（数值评定量表≥4）发生在48个治疗周期中的18个（37.5%），但在有重建手术史的患者中发生率明显较低（p = 0.017）。结论snir - pit对短而薄的病变表现出特别好的疗效，提示早期治疗可能与改善治疗效果有关。重建手术的历史与治疗后疼痛的减少有关，强调了个体化治疗和疼痛管理策略对接受NIR-PIT的头颈癌患者的重要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

American Journal of Otolaryngology 医学-耳鼻喉科学

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

4.00%

发文量

378

审稿时长

41 days

期刊介绍： Be fully informed about developments in otology, neurotology, audiology, rhinology, allergy, laryngology, speech science, bronchoesophagology, facial plastic surgery, and head and neck surgery. Featured sections include original contributions, grand rounds, current reviews, case reports and socioeconomics.