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Heft Neal et al. J Cancer Metastasis Treat 2019;5:76 Journal of Cancer
DOI: 10.20517/2394-4722.2019.32 Metastasis and Treatment

Review Open Access

Novel immunotherapeutic approaches in head and

neck cancer

Molly E. Heft Neal , Catherine T. Haring , Jacqueline E. Mann , J. Chad Brenner 1,3,4 , Matthew E. Spector ,
1
1
1
1
Paul L. Swiecicki
2
1 Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA.
2 Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
48103, USA.
3 Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA.
4 Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA.
Correspondence to: Matthew Spector, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, 1500
East Medical Center Drive, Matthew E Spector, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA. E-mail: mspector@med.umich.edu

How to cite this article: Heft Neal ME, Haring CT, Mann JE, Brenner JC, Spector ME, Swiecicki PL. Novel immunotherapeutic
approaches in head and neck cancer. J Cancer Metastasis Treat 2019;5:76. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2394-4722.2019.32

Received: 5 Sep 2019 First Decision: 14 Oct 2019 Revised: 22 Oct 2019 Accepted: 12 Nov 2019 Published: 22 Nov 2019

Science Editor: Pravin D. Potdar Copy Editor: Jing-Wen Zhang Production Editor: Tian Zhang

Abstract
Unresectable recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer is an incurable disease with survival of approximately
12 months. Head and neck tumors exhibit numerous derangements in the tumor microenvironment that aid in
immune evasion and may serve as targets for future therapies. Pembrolizumab is now approved as a first line
therapy. Despite the promise of currently approved immunotherapies there continues to be low response rates
and additional strategies are needed. Here, alterations in the immune microenvironment and current therapeutic
strategies are reviewed with a focus on novel immunologic approaches.

Keywords: Immunotherapy, head and neck, immune evasion, immune derangement, checkpoint inhibitors,
recurrent/metastatic

INTRODUCTION
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) represents the 6th most common malignancy globally
[1]
and accounts for 1%-2% of all cancer related deaths . HNSCC is comprised of a heterogenous group of
tumors including those arising from the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx. Traditional risk

© The Author(s) 2019. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use,
sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as long
as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license,
and indicate if changes were made.

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