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Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment

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Published on: April 22, 2019

Checkpoint immunotherapy in head and neck cancers.

Paul Zolkind¹, Ravindra Uppaluri²

¹Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.

Cancer Metastasis Reviews

|August 25, 2017

Summary

Checkpoint inhibitors offer new hope for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) by harnessing the immune system. Further research into biomarkers and combination therapies is crucial to improve outcomes for HNSCC patients.

Keywords:

Checkpoint blockade Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma Immunotherapy

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Area of Science:

Oncology
Immunology
Head and Neck Cancer Research

Background:

Checkpoint inhibitors are FDA-approved for cisplatin-resistant recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
These therapies activate the patient's immune system against cancer cells, showing promise where standard chemotherapy fails.
Head and neck cancers exhibit immune evasion mechanisms, particularly via the PD-1/PD-L1 axis, despite a high mutation burden suggesting antigen targets.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide historical and mechanistic context for checkpoint inhibitor use in HNSCC.
To review the role of novel checkpoints, biomarkers, and combination therapies for HNSCC.
To offer a perspective on improving treatment outcomes for HNSCC patients.

Main Methods:

Review of current literature on checkpoint inhibitors in HNSCC.
Analysis of immune evasion mechanisms in HNSCC.
Exploration of emerging biomarkers and combination strategies.

Main Results:

Checkpoint inhibitors demonstrate efficacy in a subset of HNSCC patients, outperforming chemotherapy.
Response rates in clinical trials are below 20%, highlighting the need for better patient selection and novel approaches.
The PD-1/PD-L1 axis is a key immune evasion pathway in HNSCC.

Conclusions:

Checkpoint inhibitors represent a significant advancement in HNSCC treatment.
Biomarker discovery and development of combination therapies are essential to enhance response rates and patient outcomes.
Future research should focus on personalized treatment strategies involving novel immune-based approaches for HNSCC.