Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 23, 2025

Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
06:11

Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: April 20, 2018

9.9K

Remodeling the tumor microenvironment to overcome treatment resistance in HPV-negative head and neck cancer

Sergi Benavente1

  • 1Department of Radiation Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital Campus, Barcelona 08035, Spain.

Cancer Drug Resistance (Alhambra, Calif.)
|July 17, 2023
PubMed

Insights

For HPV-negative head and neck cancer, survival is poor. This review explores targeting the tumor microenvironment with immunotherapies and metabolic regulation for better treatment outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Overall survival in HPV-negative head and neck cancer (HNSCC) remains poor despite advances.
  • HPV-negative HNSCC is characterized by an immunologically cold and excluded tumor microenvironment (TME).
  • Effective antitumor immune responses are challenging to elicit in this context.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of immune and stromal cells on the TME in HPV-negative HNSCC.
  • To emphasize the importance of metabolic regulation within the TME for cancer treatment.
  • To summarize the clinical potential of personalized immunotherapeutic strategies for HPV-negative HNSCC.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on tumor microenvironment modulation.
  • Analysis of immune cell and stromal cell interactions within the TME.
  • Evaluation of metabolic pathways influencing TME.
  • Synthesis of current clinical data on immunotherapy in HPV-negative HNSCC.

Main Results:

  • The TME composition, including immune and stromal cells, significantly influences treatment response.
  • Metabolic reprogramming of the TME presents a critical target for therapeutic intervention.
  • Personalized immunotherapies show promise but require further clinical validation.

Conclusions:

  • Modulating the TME through immune and metabolic strategies is crucial for improving outcomes in HPV-negative HNSCC.
  • Integrating metabolic regulation into immunotherapy regimens may enhance efficacy.
  • Personalized approaches hold potential for overcoming treatment resistance in HPV-negative HNSCC.
Keywords:
HPV-negativeSBRTTumor microenvironmentshead and neck cancerimmunotherapymetabolic reprogrammingradiotherapy

More Related Videos

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment07:29

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

Published on: April 22, 2019

11.5K
Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells09:01

Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells

Published on: March 7, 2025

446

Related Concept Videos

The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
6.7K
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
567
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.3K
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
7.7K
Cancer Vaccines01:30

Cancer Vaccines

Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
419