Checkpoint Inhibitors in Cancer Therapy: Clinical Benefits for Head and Neck Cancers

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In recent years, checkpoint inhibitor treatment of tumors has caused a stir. The response of patients with metastases showed outstanding success for some cancer types. However, many tumor types develop resistance strategies to evade this therapeutic application. This review provides an overview of the potential and broader treatment options that have emerged in recent years with immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) treatment. Here, a major focus is placed on treatment with ICIs and combination therapies for head and neck tumors. This review offers a comprehensive overview of clinical trials for ICI (combination) therapies in advanced stages, as well as clinical trials in their early stages for head and neck tumors. ABSTRACT: Recently, considerable progress has been achieved in cancer immunotherapy. Targeted immune checkpoint therapies have been established for several forms of cancers, which resulted in a tremendous positive impact on patient survival, even in more advanced tumor stages. With a better understanding of cellular responses to immune checkpoint therapies, it will soon be feasible to find targeted compounds which will make personalized medicine practicable. This is a great opportunity, but it also sets tremendous challenges on both the scientific and clinical aspects. Head and neck tumors evade immune surveillance through various mechanisms. They contain fewer lymphocytes (natural killer cells) than normal tissue with an accumulation of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells. Standard therapies for HNSCC, such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, are becoming more advantageous by targeting immune checkpoints and employing combination therapies. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the expanded therapeutic options, particularly the combination of immune checkpoint inhibition with various conventional and novel therapeutics for head and neck tumor patients.