title: Adaptive immune resistance in HPV-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: Human papillomavirus (HPV) types associated with head and neck cancer generally induce a robust immune response. Despite the establishment of such an inflammatory microenvironment, HPV is able to persist and promote malignant transformation. The PD-1:PD-L1 immune checkpoint may play a critical role in the creation of an immunoprivileged site for viral persistence and the subsequent development of cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD USA ; Department of Oncology; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD USA.
authors.forename: Sara I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Pai
keywords: HPV; PD-1; PD-L1; head and neck cancer; immune checkpoints