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Immunotherapeutic Approaches to Head and Neck Cancer

Hassan Nasser1, Maie St John2

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine.

Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis
|October 13, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an immunosuppressive disease. Immunotherapy, including PD-1 inhibitors, shows promise for treating HNSCC by enhancing the immune response against tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) exhibits immunosuppressive properties, hindering immune surveillance and tumor control.
  • Tumor cells employ various mechanisms to evade immune detection and destruction.
  • The success of cancer immunotherapy in other solid tumors motivates its application in HNSCC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of the immune system in HNSCC development.
  • To discuss immune evasion strategies employed by HNSCC.
  • To highlight current immunotherapeutic approaches and clinical outcomes for HNSCC.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature on HNSCC immunology and immunotherapy.
  • Analysis of preclinical data and early-phase clinical trial results.
  • Discussion of FDA-approved immunotherapies and ongoing clinical investigations.

Main Results:

  • Pembrolizumab (an immune checkpoint PD-1 receptor antagonist) is FDA-approved for platinum-refractory recurrent or metastatic HNSCC.
  • Preclinical studies and early clinical trials demonstrate promising efficacy of immunotherapies.
  • Various immunotherapeutic strategies, including vaccines and adoptive T-cell transfer, are under investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Immunotherapy represents a promising avenue for treating HNSCC.
  • Further research and clinical trials are essential to optimize immunotherapy efficacy, durability, and safety in HNSCC.
  • Combination strategies involving immunotherapy and traditional treatments may offer improved outcomes.

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