MedPath

Immunotherapy Advances in Head and Neck Cancer Treatment Highlighted

  • Pembrolizumab has been approved as a first-line treatment for recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), with or without chemotherapy, based on PD-L1 expression.
  • Clinical trials are necessary to refine biomarker-driven protocols and standardize pathological methods for combined immunotherapy regimens in HNSCC.
  • A phase II trial using nivolumab showed a promising two-year cancer-free survival rate of 73% in reversing oral premalignant lesions, warranting larger trials.
  • Guidelines are needed to standardize dental care during immunotherapy, specifically regarding oral immune-related adverse events and their impact on cancer recurrence.
The landscape of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment is evolving with the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), offering improved outcomes for patients. For years, the standard first-line treatment for recurrent and metastatic HNSCC involved a combination of platinum-based chemotherapy, 5-fluorouracil, and cetuximab. However, the recent approval of pembrolizumab, an ICI, marks a significant advancement.

Pembrolizumab's Impact on HNSCC Treatment

Pembrolizumab has been approved as a first-line treatment, both as a monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy, contingent on the tumor and immune cell percentage of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). This approval signifies a shift towards personalized immunotherapy regimens guided by tumor biomarkers.

Biomarker-Driven Protocols and Future Trials

While immunotherapy regimens can now be tailored based on tumor biomarkers, further clinical trials are essential. These trials aim to refine biomarker-driven protocols, standardize pathological methods, and optimize the timing, sequencing, and de-escalation strategies for combined regimens. The goal is to enhance the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy in HNSCC.

Nivolumab Shows Promise in Oral Premalignant Lesions

Gaps remain in protocols utilizing immunotherapy to reverse oral premalignant lesions, particularly high-risk leukoplakias. A phase II non-randomized controlled trial, employing the ICI nivolumab, demonstrated a two-year cancer-free survival rate of 73%. These results are encouraging, but larger trials are needed to validate these findings and establish nivolumab's role in preventing cancer development in premalignant oral lesions.

The Importance of Standardized Dental Care

Guidelines are crucial to standardize dental care, especially concerning oral immune-related adverse events and their potential impact on cancer recurrence. Managing these adverse events is vital for maintaining patients' quality of life and ensuring the continuity of cancer treatment. Standardized protocols will help healthcare professionals address and mitigate these challenges effectively.
Subscribe Icon

Stay Updated with Our Daily Newsletter

Get the latest pharmaceutical insights, research highlights, and industry updates delivered to your inbox every day.

Related Topics

Nivolumab Plus Cisplatin-Radiotherapy Improves Disease-Free Survival in Advanced Head and Neck Cancer

The Phase 3 NIVOPOSTOP trial demonstrated that adding nivolumab to standard cisplatin-radiotherapy significantly improved disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with resected, locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LA-SCCHN).

Eseba-vec Plus Pembrolizumab Shows Promise in HPV16-Positive Head and Neck Cancer

A phase II trial evaluated eseba-vec, an HPV16-targeted immunotherapeutic agent, combined with pembrolizumab as a first-line treatment for HPV16-positive relapsed or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

TNBC Advances: Chemo-Free Regimen Shows Promise; Novel Immunotherapy Achieves High Response Rates

Neoadjuvant nivolumab with or without ipilimumab induced immune activation and pathologic complete responses in early triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

EBV-Specific T Cell Therapy Shows Survival Benefit in Nasopharyngeal Cancer

A Phase III trial (VANCE) demonstrated that EBV-specific cytotoxic T cell (EBV-CTL) therapy combined with chemotherapy improves progression-free and overall survival in nasopharyngeal cancer patients.

ADC Plus ICI Combination Shows Promise in Cancer Treatment: Meta-Analysis

A meta-analysis of 12 clinical trials with 584 patients reveals that combining antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) yields a pooled objective response rate (ORR) of 58%.

Advancements in Immune Checkpoint Inhibition for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have become a first-line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), showing promising long-term efficacy. Two ICI-containing regimens with different mechanisms are available, and second-line therapies post-ICI are under investigation. Challenges remain in treating HCC patients with Child-Pugh B or C cirrhosis. The HIMALAYA trial highlighted the superiority of dual ICI therapy over sorafenib in advanced HCC, with significant improvements in outcomes and safety.

Advancements in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Based Systemic Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Recent developments in immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based systemic therapy offer new hope for treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), particularly for patients with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus. A case study highlights the effectiveness of combining ICI with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in achieving partial remission and prolonged progression-free survival, suggesting a promising direction for future HCC treatment strategies.

FDA Approves New First-Line Treatment for Head and Neck Cancers

The FDA has approved a new first-line treatment for metastatic or recurrent head and neck cancer, using the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab, either alone or with chemotherapy. This treatment, developed through research led by Yale's Dr. Barbara A. Burtness, significantly improves survival rates and is less toxic than previous treatments.

Immunotherapy Cancer Drug Nivolumab Hailed as 'Game Changer'

Nivolumab, an immunotherapy drug, has shown promising results in treating advanced head and neck cancer and kidney cancer, significantly extending patients' lives with fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy. Clinical trials highlight its potential as a 'game changer' in cancer treatment.

Phase 1b Trial of Dostarlimab Combinations Shows Promise in Advanced Solid Tumors

A phase 1b clinical trial, IOLite, evaluated the safety and efficacy of dostarlimab in combination with niraparib or carboplatin–paclitaxel, with or without bevacizumab, in patients with advanced solid tumors. The study found these combinations to be safe and tolerable, with promising antitumor activity. The trial established recommended phase 2 doses for each combination and observed no new safety signals. Tumor response rates were encouraging, particularly in combinations involving bevacizumab, suggesting potential for further investigation in larger, randomized phase 3 studies.

Reference News

[1]
Immunotherapy for head and neck cancer | British Dental Journal - Nature
nature.com · Nov 21, 2024

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved outcomes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), with pembro...

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath
HomeTerms & ConditionsPrivacy Policy