Updates to Treatment of Recurrent Metastatic Head and Neck Cancers

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Cristina P. Rodriguez
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The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab, has significantly improved overall survival in both the first- and second-line settings for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. In nasopharyngeal carcinomas, the combination of gemcitabine + cisplatin with PD-1 inhibitors has demonstrated impressive response rates and overall survival benefits. However, the unique immune-related adverse events associated with ICIs require patient counseling. Ongoing clinical trials are exploring novel combinations of ICIs with EGFR monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and therapeutic vaccines to further improve treatment outcomes. Biomarkers, such as circulating HPV-DNA and actionable molecular alterations (eg, HRAS mutations), may help guide treatment decisions and predict patient responses in the future.

Disclosures: Dr. Rodriguez has disclosed receiving grant/research support from Adagene, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Ayala Pharmaceuticals, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cue Biopharma, Kura Oncology, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., OncoC4, Inc., Prelude Therapeutics, LLC, sanofi-aventis U.S., and SeaGen; and serving as a scientific advisor for Adaptimmune, Barinthus Biotherapeutics, Coherus BioSciences, Cue Biopharma, Eisai Inc., and Pionyr Immunotherapeutics.

Correspondence: Cristina P. Rodgriguez, MD, University of Washington, 825 Eastlake Avenue, MS K2-231, Seattle, WA 98109. Email: rodrigcr@uw.edu
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