Immunotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer

Felix Sim; Rom Leidner; Richard Bryan Bell

doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2018.12.006

Immunotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer

Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2019 Apr;33(2):301-321. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2018.12.006.

Authors

Felix Sim¹, Rom Leidner², Richard Bryan Bell³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Monash Health, 823 Centre Road, Bentleigh East, Victoria 3165, Australia; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Barwon Health, Ryrie Street & Bellerine Street, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia.
² Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Robert W. Franz Cancer Center, Providence Portland Medical Center, Providence Cancer Institute, 4805 Northeast Glisan Street, Suite 2N35, Portland, OR 97213, USA.
³ Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Robert W. Franz Cancer Center, Providence Portland Medical Center, Providence Cancer Institute, 4805 Northeast Glisan Street, Suite 2N35, Portland, OR 97213, USA; Head and Neck Institute, 1849 NW Kearney, Suite 300, Portland, Oregon 97209, USA. Electronic address: richard.bell@providence.org.

PMID: 30833002
DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2018.12.006

Abstract

The immune system has a vital role in the development, establishment, and progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Immune evasion of cancer cells leads to progression of HNSCC. An understanding of this mechanism provides the basis for improved therapies and outcomes for patients. Through the tumor's influence on the microenvironment, the immune system can be exploited to promote metastasis, angiogenesis, and growth. This article provides an overview of the interaction between immune infiltrating cells in the tumor microenvironment, and the immunologic principles related to HNSCC. Current immunotherapeutic strategies and emerging results from ongoing clinical trials are presented.

Keywords: Adoptive T-cell transfer; Checkpoint inhibitor; Head and neck cancer; Immunotherapy; Oncolytic virus; Squamous cell carcinoma.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Head and Neck Neoplasms* / immunology
Head and Neck Neoplasms* / pathology
Head and Neck Neoplasms* / therapy
Humans
Immunotherapy*
Neoplasm Metastasis
Neovascularization, Pathologic* / immunology
Neovascularization, Pathologic* / pathology
Neovascularization, Pathologic* / therapy
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck* / immunology
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck* / pathology
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck* / therapy
Tumor Microenvironment / immunology*