Immune Checkpoint Therapy in Head and Neck Cancers
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Updated: Mar 22, 2026
Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
Pavlos Msaouel1, Erminia Massarelli
1From the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
Abstract:
Most patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) will present with advanced disease characterized by poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Our growing understanding of the complex crosstalk between tumor cells and the immune system has facilitated the development of promising therapies targeting immune checkpoints, such as programmed death 1 and the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4, which are producing considerable clinical responses. However, HNSCC tissues use diverse strategies to avoid immunosurveillance, thus limiting our ability to fully harness the immune system to achieve consistent and durable antitumor activity. This may be counteracted by optimizing the dosing, sequence, and timing of immune checkpoint therapies and by combining these regimens with other modalities such as radiation therapy, cancer vaccines, cytotoxic chemotherapies, and molecularly targeted agents. The present review summarizes the pathophysiological role of immune regulation in HNSCC and provides a concise update on the clinical translation of immune checkpoint therapies in this tumor type.
Insights
Head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) treatments are improving with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Optimizing these therapies and combining them with other treatments may enhance durable antitumor activity in HNSCC patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) often presents as advanced disease with poor prognosis.
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting programmed death 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) show clinical promise for HNSCC.
- Tumor evasion of immune surveillance limits the efficacy of current immunotherapies in HNSCC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of immune regulation in HNSCC.
- To provide an update on the clinical application of immune checkpoint inhibitors in HNSCC.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of pathophysiological mechanisms of immune regulation in HNSCC.
- Analysis of clinical trial data for immune checkpoint therapies in HNSCC.
- Exploration of combination strategies to overcome immune evasion.
Main Results:
- HNSCC employs diverse mechanisms to evade immune responses.
- Optimizing dosing, sequencing, and timing of immune checkpoint inhibitors is crucial.
- Combination therapies (radiation, vaccines, chemotherapy, targeted agents) show potential.
Conclusions:
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors represent a significant advancement in HNSCC treatment.
- Overcoming immune evasion through optimized and combination therapies is key to achieving durable responses.
- Further research into immune regulation and therapeutic strategies is warranted for HNSCC.
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