Neoadjuvant Anlotinib Plus Paclitaxel-Cisplatin for Technically Resectable Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Prospective Single-Arm Phase II Study.

Authors

Ran Xu, Meng-Jie Huang, Zhen-Hua Jiang, Lei Liu, Li-Jun Zhang, Shuang Zhang, Ji-Fang Luo, Jing Yuan

Published in

Head & neck. Sep 30, 2026. Epub Sep 30, 2026.

Abstract

Technically resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma may require highly morbid surgery. We evaluated short-course neoadjuvant anlotinib plus paclitaxel-cisplatin as a signal-generating strategy.
Twenty-one patients received two 21-day cycles in a prospective, single-arm Phase II study. The primary endpoint was RECIST 1.1 objective response rate; pathological response and surgical extent were exploratory.
Objective response rate was 66.7% (14/21; 95% CI, 43.0%-85.4%), meeting the prespecified activity criterion. Eight patients underwent surgery; all achieved R0 resection, 5/8 achieved major pathological response, and 4/8 underwent less extensive resection than initially planned. Documented adverse events were mainly Grade 1, including one Grade 1 hypertension controlled with levamlodipine and one Grade 2 primary-tumor bleeding event; proteinuria was not systematically captured.
The regimen generated antitumor activity and surgical feasibility signals but does not establish anlotinib benefit beyond TP or functional preservation.
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2100046440.

PMID:
42816421
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 01 Oct 2026.

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