The Emerging Role of Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC): Anti-tumor Immunity and Clinical Applications

Overview

Journal Ann Transl Med

Publisher AME Publishing Company

Date 2016 Jun 9

PMID 27275486

Citations 55

Authors

Panagiota Economopoulou

Christos Perisanidis

Evaggelos I Giotakis

Amanda Psyrri

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) carries a poor prognosis, with low survival rates for advanced stage tumors and minimal improvement in survival trends through the past decades. It is becoming increasingly clear that HNSCC oncogenesis and evolution is characterized by profound immune defects, as cancer cells evade immunosurveillance due to accumulation of genetic mutations and tumor heterogeneity. Improved understanding of the role of the immune system in cancer has led to the identification of novel therapeutic targets, which are being investigated for their potential to provide durable responses. In this review, we will summarize the role of the immune system in HNSCC, the rationale behind immunotherapy strategies and their clinical applications.

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