Rationale for combined blockade of PD-1 and CTLA-4 in advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer – Review of current data

• Published in: Oral oncology Vol. 51; no. 1; pp. 12 - 15
• Main Authors: Swanson, Mark S, Sinha, Uttam K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Antibodies, Monoclonal - therapeutic use; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - drug therapy; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - immunology; CTLA-4; CTLA-4 Antigen - antagonists & inhibitors; CTLA-4 Antigen - immunology; Head and neck cancer; Head and Neck Neoplasms - drug therapy; Head and Neck Neoplasms - immunology; Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine; Humans; Immunotherapy; Ipilimumab; Nivolumab; Otolaryngology; PD-1; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor - antagonists & inhibitors; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor - immunology; Tumor Escape; Head and neck cancer; CTLA-4; PD-1; Nivolumab; Ipilimumab; Immunotherapy
• ISSN: 1368-8375; 1879-0593
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2014.10.010

Summary Targeted immunotherapy promoting anti-tumor T-cell activity has shown improved survival and durable objective responses in advanced melanoma patients. Data is mounting that concurrent use of ipilimumab and nivolumab has a more pronounced effect than either as monotherapy. Although no completed clinical trials exist for their use in head and neck cancer, preclinical data suggests these therapies would be beneficial in head and neck malignancies as well. Their role in head and neck cancer management is an ongoing research effort.