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. 2019:5:76.
doi: 10.20517/2394-4722.2019.32. Epub 2019 Nov 22.

Novel Immunotherapeutic Approaches in Head and Neck Cancer

Affiliations

Novel Immunotherapeutic Approaches in Head and Neck Cancer

M E Heft Neal et al. J Cancer Metastasis Treat. 2019.

Abstract

Unresectable recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer is an incurable disease with survival of approximately 12 months. Head and neck tumors exhibit numerous derangements in the tumor microenvironment that aid in immune evasion and may serve as targets for future therapies. Pembrolizumab is now approved as a first line therapy. Despite the promise of currently approved immunotherapies there continues to be low response rates and additional strategies are needed. Here, alterations in the immune microenvironment and current therapeutic strategies are reviewed with a focus on novel immunologic approaches.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Mechanism of action of checkpoint inhibitors. APC: antigen presenting cell; MHC: major histocompatibility complex

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