Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 26, 2025

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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Current Status of Human Papillomavirus-Targeted Therapies Development in Head and Neck Cancer

Jong Chul Park1,2, Brittany Bertaux3, Junseok Park4

  • 1Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.

JCO Precision Oncology
|June 14, 2023
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Novel therapies targeting human papillomavirus (HPV)-mediated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) show promise. While safe, current HPV-targeted treatments for advanced HPV+ HNSCC have modest single-agent activity, necessitating combination strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Virology
  • Immunotherapy

Background:

  • Incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-mediated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is rising globally.
  • Smoking-related HNSCC rates are declining, contrasting with the increasing HPV-driven cases.
  • Despite advances in cancer therapeutics, effective treatments for advanced HPV+ HNSCC remain elusive.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current HPV-targeted experimental therapeutics for HPV+ HNSCC.
  • To summarize the concepts, designs, and early trial results of these novel agents.
  • To outline future directions for developing effective HPV+ HNSCC treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search of PubMed using keywords: HPV, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and therapy.
  • Review of clinical trial data from publications, conference abstracts, and ClinicalTrials.gov.
  • Focus on therapeutics in the clinical stage and actively under evaluation, excluding preclinical or terminated agents.

Main Results:

  • Diverse HPV-targeted therapeutic approaches are under investigation, including vaccines, immune cell activators, and cellular therapeutics.
  • These novel agents employ immune-based mechanisms targeting HPV E6/E7 oncoproteins.
  • Most agents exhibit good safety profiles, but single-agent efficacy is modest; many are being evaluated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Conclusions:

  • Novel HPV-targeted therapeutics in clinical trials show feasibility and promising efficacy for HPV+ HNSCC.
  • Further research is needed to identify optimal combination therapies.
  • Understanding and overcoming resistance mechanisms are crucial for successful therapeutic development.

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