Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
The FDA approved the immune checkpoint inhibitors pembrolizumab and nivolumab for treatment of recurrent or metastatic HNSCC and pembrolizumab as primary treatment for unresectable disease.
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are the most common head and neck cancers, derived from mucosal epithelium in oral cavity, pharynx, larynx. Most patients present with advanced-stage HNSCC. The treatment approach is generally multimodal, consisting of surgery followed by chemotherapy plus radiation for oral cavity cancers and primary chemoradiation for pharynx and larynx cancers. EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab is used in combination with radiation in HPV-negative HNSCC where co‑morbidity precludes cytotoxic chemotherapy. The FDA approved the immune checkpoint inhibitors pembrolizumab and nivolumab for treatment of recurrent or metastatic HNSCC and pembrolizumab as primary treatment for unresectable disease. Molecular characterization of HNSCC has revealed new therapeutic opportunities.
This claim highlights that two currently FDA‑approved immune checkpoint inhibitors are recommended for patients with recurrent, metastatic, or unresectable HNSCC, offering clinicians actionable treatment options for this advanced‑stage disease.
Evidence level: Számítógépes vagy elméleti. Modellből vagy adatbányászatból származó jel.
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