Immunotherapy in head and neck cancers

Abstract

Despite tremendous advances in our molecular understanding of carcinogenesis, the worldwide incidence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains unacceptably high with approximately 664,000 new diagnoses per year. Although roughly one-third of HNSCC patients will reside in developed countries with advanced medical resources, they will be faced with 5-year survival rates that remain quagmired at less than 50 %. Although advances in chemotherapy and radiation continue, cures for HNSCC remain in the surgeon’s purview. Oftentimes surgery leads to disfigurement and the need for adjunctive care for speech, nutrition, and breathing. This chapter will discuss how head and neck cancers avoid immune detection and several novel approaches undergoing clinical evaluation to make them “reappear." Our discussion will focus on approaches with small molecules, antibodies and antibody drug conjugates (ABCs), and cytokines and a detailed discussion presenting the current and future applications of adoptive (autologous) tumor-specific T-cell therapies and HNSCC tumor vaccines. Abstract and Key Words are contributed by the Editor, AMF.