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Review
. 2020 Jul;59(7):766-774.
doi: 10.1002/mc.23162. Epub 2020 Feb 3.

Tumor immune microenvironment in head and neck cancers

Samantha M Y Chen  1 , Alexandra L Krinsky  1 , Rachel A Woolaver  1 , Xiaoguang Wang  1 , Zhangguo Chen  1 , Jing H Wang  1
Affiliations
Review

Tumor immune microenvironment in head and neck cancers

Samantha M Y Chen et al. Mol Carcinog. 2020 Jul.

Abstract

Head and neck cancers are a heterogeneous group of tumors that are highly aggressive and collectively represent the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Ninety percent of head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). The tumor microenvironment (TME) of HNSCCs consists of many different subsets of cells that infiltrate the tumors and interact with the tumor cells or with each other through various networks. Both innate and adaptive immune cells play a crucial role in mediating immune surveillance and controlling tumor growth. Here, we discuss the different subsets of immune cells and how they contribute to an immunosuppressive TME of HNSCCs. We also briefly summarize recent advances in immunotherapeutic approaches for HNSCC treatment. A better understanding of the multiple factors that play pivotal roles in HNSCC tumorigenesis and tumor progression may help define novel targets to develop more effective immunotherapies for patients with HNSCC.

Keywords: cancer immunotherapy; head and neck cancers; tumor microenvironment; tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
A schematic illustration of the tumor-associated immune cells and factors responsible for the immune-suppressive mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of HNSCC.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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