Immunotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer

Sumita Trivedi; Lova Sun; Charu Aggarwal

doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2021.05.010

Immunotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer

Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2021 Oct;35(5):1021-1037. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2021.05.010. Epub 2021 Jul 7.

Authors

Sumita Trivedi¹, Lova Sun¹, Charu Aggarwal²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
² Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: Charu.aggarwal@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.

PMID: 34244017
DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2021.05.010

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) remain an important cause of global cancer morbidity and mortality. Historically, outcomes for patients with recurrent or metastatic disease were poor with limited treatment options. In recent decades, the demographic profile of this disease has evolved with an increase in human papilloma virus-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma and a decrease in tobacco-related disease. The treatment paradigm for HNSCC has rapidly evolved with identification of novel, immune-directed, therapeutic strategies that take advantage of immune dysregulation commonly seen in HNSCC. This review summarizes recent developments in this field and discusses emerging strategies for future therapies.

Keywords: Head and neck cancers; Human papillomavirus; Immune checkpoint inhibitors; Immunotherapy; PD-L1.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Alphapapillomavirus*
Head and Neck Neoplasms* / therapy
Humans
Immunologic Factors
Immunotherapy
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / therapy

Substances

Immunologic Factors