Biological mechanisms of immune escape and implications for immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an aggressive malignancy with high morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in cytotoxic therapies and surgical techniques, overall survival (OS) has not improved over the past few decades. This emphasises the need for intense investigation into novel therapies with good tumour control and minimal toxicity. Cancer immunotherapy has led this endeavour, attempting to improve tumour recognition and expand immune responses against tumour cells. While various forms of HNSCC immunotherapy are in preclinical trials, the most promising direction thus far has been with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), targeting growth factor and immune checkpoint receptors. Preclinical and early phase trials have shown unprecedented efficacy with minimal adverse effects. This article will review biological mechanisms of immune escape and implications for immunotherapy in HNSCC.
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Electronic address: moyjd@upmc.edu.
Jennifer D
JD
Moy
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Jessica M
JM
Moskovitz
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cancer Immunology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Robert L
RL
Ferris
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D060890:B7-H1 Antigen / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D000074324:Ipilimumab; D000077594:Nivolumab; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D019139:Tumor Escape / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D060890:B7-H1 Antigen; C423236:CD274 protein, human; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; D000074324:Ipilimumab; C105992:PDCD1 protein, human; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; C000613593:durvalumab; D000077594:Nivolumab; C000594389:atezolizumab; C582435:pembrolizumab
Checkpoint receptors; Head and neck cancer; Immunotherapy; Squamous cell carcinoma