Enhancement of Tumor Antigen-specific T-cell Responses by Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Human Papillomavirus-related Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Our findings indicate that tumor antigen-specific T cells are present in the peripheral blood of patients with HPV-positive HNSCC. Blockade of checkpoint pathways can enhance T-cell responses in certain patients, probably via activated T cells, Tregs, and/or exhausted CD4+ T cells.