Nivolumab versus standard, single-agent therapy of investigator's choice in recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (CheckMate 141): health-related quality-of-life results from a randomised, phase 3 trial

In this exploratory analysis of CheckMate 141, nivolumab stabilised symptoms and functioning from baseline to weeks 9 and 15, whereas investigator's choice led to clinically meaningful deterioration.

In the original CheckMate 141 study, nivolumab significantly improved survival of this patient population when compared with standard single-agent therapy of investigator's choice.  

These findings combined with those from the exploratory study indicate that treatment with nivolumab offers a new therapeutic approach to extend survival that might also preserve or enhance quality of life in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.