title: [Immunotherapy of head and neck tumors: Highlights of the ASCO Meeting 2015].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In recent years, new immunotherapeutic drugs have become available: the so-called immune checkpoint modulators. With these drugs, unprecedented treatment results have been achieved in different malignant diseases; primarily malignant melanoma, but also in various other malignomas. These achievements have revolutionized the oncologic treatment landscape. This quickly expanding research field, driven by revolutionary treatment results, has put immunotherapy in the focus of attention.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Due to rapid developments in the field of immunotherapy, this article aims at introducing, illustrating, and summarizing the field of modern immunotherapy, based on recently presented clinical data from the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2015.
  
  
  METHODS
  The most important ASCO Meeting 2015 immunotherapy trials for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) were identified, summarized, and discussed with respect to the current state of research.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The oncologic landscape of clinical trials is currently dominated by the new immune checkpoint modulating drugs. Also for HNSCC, a variety of clinical trials and substances are under way. The current primary focus of these trials is targeting and inhibiting the programmed death 1 (PD-1) axis. Cancer immunotherapy with immune checkpoint modulating drugs seems to be independent of human papilloma virus (HPV) status. Robust predictive markers for patient selection are not yet available.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Current data from clinical trials with immune checkpoint modulators are promising. In the coming years, integration of these drugs into clinical routine can be expected. With regard to the public health economic burden and potential adverse events, the identification of predictive markers for patient selection is a major task for future trials.
authors: Kopf-Hals-Tumorzentrum Ulm, Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde und Kopf-Hals-Chirurgie, Universitätsklinik Ulm, Frauensteige 12, 89070, Ulm, Deutschland, simon.laban@uniklinik-ulm.de.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Laban
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Doescher
authors: P J
authors: PJ
authors: Schuler
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Bullinger
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Brunner
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Veit
authors: T K
authors: TK
authors: Hoffmann
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors