Immunotherapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2015 Dec;29(6):1033-43. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2015.07.009. Epub 2015 Oct 20.

Abstract

Although head and neck squamous cell carcinoma has traditionally been considered to be a very immunosuppressive, or at least nonimmunogenic, tumor type, recent results from clinical studies of immune checkpoint blockade strategies have led to resurgence in the enthusiasm for immunotherapeutic approaches. Additional strategies for immunotherapy that are under active investigation include enhancement of cetuximab-mediated antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, tumor vaccines, and engineered T cells for adoptive therapy. All of these studies have early-phase clinical trials under way, and the next several years will be exciting as the results of these studies are reported.

Keywords: CTLA-4; Cetuximab; Chimeric antigen receptor; HNSCC; Immunotherapy; PD-1; Vaccine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity / immunology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cancer Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / immunology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy*
  • Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / methods
  • Cetuximab / therapeutic use
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immune System / drug effects
  • Immune System / immunology*
  • Immune System / metabolism
  • Immunotherapy* / methods
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Cetuximab