Immunotherapy in head and neck cancer: evidence and perspectives

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) employ immune evasion strategies.
• Immune checkpoint inhibitors, specifically CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 pathways, are key mechanisms of tumor immune resistance.
• Tumor cells exploit these checkpoints to suppress anti-tumor immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of immune checkpoints in HNSCC immune evasion.
• To discuss the therapeutic potential of PD-1 antibodies (pembrolizumab, nivolumab) in HNSCC treatment.
• To highlight the need for predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy response in HNSCC.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of immune evasion mechanisms in HNSCC.
• Analysis of the function of CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 pathways.
• Examination of recent FDA approvals for PD-1 inhibitors in HNSCC.

Main Results:

• PD-1 antibodies interrupt immunosuppressive pathways, offering treatment for recurrent or metastatic HNSCC post-chemotherapy.
• Current data on PD-L1 as a predictive biomarker for immunotherapy response in HNSCC is inconclusive.
• Contrasting results from studies limit definitive conclusions on PD-L1's utility.

Conclusions:

• Pembrolizumab and nivolumab represent advancements in HNSCC immunotherapy.
• Identifying reliable predictive markers for immunotherapy response is critical for clinical application.
• Further research into the tumor-immune system interaction is essential for developing effective multimodality treatments.