Introduction The importance of prognostic factors in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is increasing due to expanding individualized treatment options. Since the introduction of checkpoint inhibitors in head and neck oncology, a new group of patients is developing who can establish a stable disease burden over a long period of time and for whom an individualized prognosis assessment is becoming increasingly relevant. The laboratory chemical parameters regularly collected before and during therapy appear particularly attractive. In a retrospective study, their prognostic potential for the later course of the disease was evaluated. Material and methods We analyzed the data of patients who underwent immunotherapy with Pembrolizumab or Nivolumab for HNSCC at our clinic between 2018 and 2023 (n=44). Overall survival (OS) was related to the patients' initial laboratory chemistry values at the start of treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier models and Cox regressions. Results A statistically significant correlation with the OS was shown for the initial hemoglobin (p=0.03). The significance level was narrowly missed for initial albumin (p=0.07). Otherwise, there were no significant correlations between OS and the laboratory parameters at the start of treatment (e.g. in relation to the patient's age or kidney function). Discussion The parameters of routine laboratory chemical diagnostics have the advantage that they are uncomplicated and ubiquitously available. They offer an inexpensive way of providing an overall assessment of the patient's organ systems and forming a benefit/risk assessment based on this. The assessment of bone marrow function (hemoglobin) and liver function (albumin) appear to offer the best benefit.

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