Immunotherapeutic approaches in HNSCC

Immunotherapy is a rapidly advancing field that has improved survival outcomes for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Large phase 3 trials have demonstrated the efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies in patients with recurrent/metastatic disease, and current investigations will help elucidate the role of these agents in patients with previously untreated, locally advanced disease. Additional immunotherapeutic strategies including antibodies targeting other coinhibitory/costimulatory checkpoints, vaccines, oncolytic viruses, toll-like receptor agonists, adoptive cell therapy, and others are also under active study. As more data emerge regarding the management of immune-related adverse events and potential biomarkers of response, immunotherapeutic approaches will become an increasingly safe and successful therapeutic modality for head and neck cancer.