Pathologic Treatment Effect and Survival in HPV-Negative HNSCC Following Neoadjuvant Nivolumab

This cohort study found that patients with HPV-negative disease who are deemed pathologic responders (pTE >57%) to neoadjuvant nivolumab may have improved survival outcomes compared with those who are low or nonresponders. Not only does this suggest a role for using pathologic response as a surrogate marker, but it further highlights the neoadjuvant strategy in HNSCC as associated with improved survival.