Biomarkers and 3D models predicting response to immune checkpoint blockade in head and neck cancer (Review).

ABSTRACT: Immunotherapy has evolved into a powerful tool in the fight against a number of types of cancer, including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Although checkpoint inhibition (CPI) has definitely enriched the treatment options for advanced stage HNSCC during the past decade, the percentage of patients responding to treatment is widely varying between 14‑32% in second‑line setting in recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with a sporadic durability. Clinical response and, consecutively, treatment success remain unpredictable in most of the cases. One potential factor is the expression of target molecules of the tumor allowing cancer cells to acquire therapy resistance mechanisms. Accordingly, analyzing and modeling the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is key to i) stratify s

SUBMITTER: Affolter A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9183766 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature