Immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: An updated review

Squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The tumor microenvironment for HNSCC is a complex interplay of immune cells, stromal cells, and cytokines amongst others. Immunotherapy acts as an effective a...

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Main Authors: K. Parmar, A. Mohamed, E. Vaish, R. Thawani, J. Cetnar, K.Z. Thein
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2022-01-01
Series:Cancer Treatment and Research Communications
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S246829422200140X
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author K. Parmar
A. Mohamed
E. Vaish
R. Thawani
J. Cetnar
K.Z. Thein
author_facet K. Parmar
A. Mohamed
E. Vaish
R. Thawani
J. Cetnar
K.Z. Thein
author_sort K. Parmar
collection DOAJ
description Squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The tumor microenvironment for HNSCC is a complex interplay of immune cells, stromal cells, and cytokines amongst others. Immunotherapy acts as an effective antineoplastic agent by influencing this complex environment and includes immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). ICI have been approved in the frontline setting for recurrent and metastatic (R/M) HNSCC as well as platinum-refractory (second line) R/M HNSCC. However, recent clinical studies highlight that the response to immunotherapy varies, and different ICI, as well as different combination strategies play a crucial role in augmenting the efficacy of immunotherapy. An in-depth analysis and focused study of the immune contexture in patients with HNSCC receiving ICI remains critical. Many novel immunotherapies including CAR-T cell therapy, oncolytic virus therapy, and vaccines are underway. Ongoing trials are testing ICI in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. Furthermore, identifying better biomarkers to target population that benefits from immunotherapy is of paramount importance. Pioneering the optimal combination regimen utilizing new novel immunotherapy has recently become a paradigm shift in the HNSCC treatment landscape. Herein, we summarize the clinical development with all ongoing clinical trials of immunotherapy in HNSCC.
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spelling doaj.art-9fac1083258a49beaa2a891d28c330282022-12-22T04:40:30ZengElsevierCancer Treatment and Research Communications2468-29422022-01-0133100649Immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: An updated reviewK. Parmar0A. Mohamed1E. Vaish2R. Thawani3J. Cetnar4K.Z. Thein5Department of General Internal medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th St, Lubbock, TX 79430, United States; Corresponding author.Department of General Internal medicine, University of Washington- Boise Internal Medicine Residency, 500W Fort St #111, Boise, ID 83702, United StatesSchool of Medicine, King George's Medical University, IndiaDivision of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University/ Knight Cancer Institute, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Mail Code: OC14HO, Portland, OR 97239, United StatesDivision of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University/ Knight Cancer Institute, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Mail Code: OC14HO, Portland, OR 97239, United StatesDivision of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University/ Knight Cancer Institute, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Mail Code: OC14HO, Portland, OR 97239, United StatesSquamous cell cancer of the head and neck (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The tumor microenvironment for HNSCC is a complex interplay of immune cells, stromal cells, and cytokines amongst others. Immunotherapy acts as an effective antineoplastic agent by influencing this complex environment and includes immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). ICI have been approved in the frontline setting for recurrent and metastatic (R/M) HNSCC as well as platinum-refractory (second line) R/M HNSCC. However, recent clinical studies highlight that the response to immunotherapy varies, and different ICI, as well as different combination strategies play a crucial role in augmenting the efficacy of immunotherapy. An in-depth analysis and focused study of the immune contexture in patients with HNSCC receiving ICI remains critical. Many novel immunotherapies including CAR-T cell therapy, oncolytic virus therapy, and vaccines are underway. Ongoing trials are testing ICI in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. Furthermore, identifying better biomarkers to target population that benefits from immunotherapy is of paramount importance. Pioneering the optimal combination regimen utilizing new novel immunotherapy has recently become a paradigm shift in the HNSCC treatment landscape. Herein, we summarize the clinical development with all ongoing clinical trials of immunotherapy in HNSCC.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S246829422200140XImmunotherapyPembrolizumabNivolumabHead and neck squamous cell carcinomaTumor microenvironmentImmune and stromal cells
spellingShingle K. Parmar
A. Mohamed
E. Vaish
R. Thawani
J. Cetnar
K.Z. Thein
Immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: An updated review
Cancer Treatment and Research Communications
Immunotherapy
Pembrolizumab
Nivolumab
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Tumor microenvironment
Immune and stromal cells
title Immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: An updated review
title_full Immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: An updated review
title_fullStr Immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: An updated review
title_full_unstemmed Immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: An updated review
title_short Immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: An updated review
title_sort immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma an updated review
topic Immunotherapy
Pembrolizumab
Nivolumab
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Tumor microenvironment
Immune and stromal cells
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S246829422200140X
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