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Chromogenic In Situ Hybridization as a Tool for HPV-Related Head and Neck Cancer Diagnosis
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Chromogenic In Situ Hybridization as a Tool for HPV-Related Head and Neck Cancer Diagnosis

Published on: June 14, 2019

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Immunotherapy Approaches in HPV-Associated Head and Neck Cancer

Ricklie Julian1, Malvi Savani1, Julie E Bauman1

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.

Cancers
|December 10, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Immunotherapy shows promise for advanced head and neck cancers. This review focuses on human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal cancers and novel HPV-specific immunotherapies targeting unique tumor antigens.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment is evolving with immunotherapy.
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a key factor in a subset of oropharyngeal cancers (OPC), creating a distinct disease entity.
  • Current management for HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC is similar, despite biological differences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of immunotherapy in HPV-positive HNSCC.
  • To highlight clinical evidence and scientific rationale for emerging immunotherapies.
  • To emphasize HPV-specific immune activators targeting foreign tumor antigens.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current clinical trials and preclinical research.
  • Analysis of immunotherapy outcomes in advanced HNSCC, including HPV status.
  • Focus on HPV-specific immune activators.

Main Results:

  • Anti-PD1 checkpoint inhibitors improve outcomes in advanced HNSCC, regardless of HPV status.
  • HPV-positive OPC has unique tumor antigens and immune microenvironment.
  • Numerous clinical trials are exploring refined immunotherapy applications.

Conclusions:

  • Immunotherapy is a rapidly advancing field for HNSCC.
  • HPV-positive HNSCC represents a distinct target for tailored immunotherapy.
  • Exploiting HPV-specific antigens offers a promising therapeutic avenue.
Keywords:
head and neck squamous cell carcinomahuman papillomavirusimmunotherapynovel therapies

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