Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol.  2018 Dec;11(4):217-223. 10.21053/ceo.2018.00150.

Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer

• Denaro N
• Merlano MC

• KMID: 2439847
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21053/ceo.2018.00150

Abstract

Prognosis in relapsed metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer (RM-HNSCC) is dismal. Platinum based chemotherapy in combination with Cetuximab is used in first-line setting, while no further validated options are available at progression. Immunotherapy has produced durable clinical benefit in some patients with RM-HNSCC although the premises are several patients are nonresponders. Studies are ongoing to determine predictive factors and the ideal setting/combination of novel immunotherapies. In this paper, we discuss the past and present of immunotherapy in head and neck cancer and provide an up-to-date information regarding the potential ways to improve immunotherapy outcomes in HNSCC.

Keyword

Immunotherapy; Tumor Immune Escape; Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Head And Neck; Biomarkers

MeSH Terms

Biomarkers
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Cetuximab
Drug Therapy
Epithelial Cells*
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Head*
Humans
Immunotherapy*
Neck*
Neoplasms, Squamous Cell*
Platinum
Prognosis
Tumor Escape
Biomarkers
Cetuximab
Platinum

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