Immunotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer: Biomarkers, Trials, and Transformative Outcomes

A special issue of Current Oncology (ISSN 1718-7729). This special issue belongs to the section "Head and Neck Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2026) | Viewed by 606

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
Interests: head and neck cancer; immunotherapy; clinical trial
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Head and neck cancers (HNCs), particularly those driven by viral or environmental etiologies, present complex therapeutic challenges. Immunotherapy has emerged as a transformative treatment approach, especially in recurrent or metastatic settings, with agents like PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors reshaping the clinical landscape. However, only a subset of patients benefit from immunotherapy, and critical questions remain regarding predictive biomarkers, resistance mechanisms, and how best to integrate immunotherapy with existing modalities.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the current advances and evolving frontiers in immunotherapy for HNCs. We welcome original research, clinical trial updates, and comprehensive reviews on topics including but not limited to the following:

  • Biomarkers of response and resistance to immunotherapy;
  • The tumor microenvironment and immune landscape of HNC;
  • Real-world data and translational studies;
  • Novel immunomodulatory agents and vaccine strategies;
  • Outcomes and quality-of-life data in the immunotherapy era.

Our goal is to foster a deeper understanding of how immunotherapy can be optimized and personalized for patients with head and neck cancers, ultimately improving long-term outcomes.

Dr. Jong Chul Park
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • immunotherapy
  • head and neck cancer
  • biomarkers
  • combination therapy
  • clinical outcomes

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

12 pages, 503 KB  
Article
Sequencing Immunotherapy and Hypofractionated Radiotherapy in Frail Patients with Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
by Beatrice Bettazzi, Viola Salvestrini, Marco Banini, Olga Ruggieri, Annarita Palomba, Ilaria Camilla Galli, Lorenzo Livi, Pierluigi Bonomo and Carlotta Becherini
Curr. Oncol. 2026, 33(5), 239; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol33050239 - 22 Apr 2026
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Abstract
(1) Background: Hypofractionated radiotherapy and immunotherapy (IT) are possible treatment options for HNSCC patients unsuitable for standard curative treatment, yet no high-level evidence supports their combined use. We aim to report on the clinical outcome of a single-center cohort of HNSCC patients treated [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Hypofractionated radiotherapy and immunotherapy (IT) are possible treatment options for HNSCC patients unsuitable for standard curative treatment, yet no high-level evidence supports their combined use. We aim to report on the clinical outcome of a single-center cohort of HNSCC patients treated with a hypofractionated radiotherapy (hypoRT) regimen in combination with IT alone or chemo-immunotherapy (CT-IT). (2) Methods: We enrolled a cohort of elderly and frail HNSCC patients unsuitable for standard curative treatment, deemed candidates to undergo hypoRT in a sequential strategy (time interval < 6 months), followed or preceded by IT alone (hypoRT_IT) or CT-IT. We selected our sample using the Geriatric 8 (G8) score and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). (3) Results: At a median follow-up of 11 months (IQR 5–20), the median locoregional control (LRC) was 12 months (95% CI 7.0–17.1) with a 1-year progression-free survival rate of 63%. For the hypoRT-IT group, the median overall survival was 12 months (95% CI 0–24). No grade (G) 4–5 in-field acute side effects were observed, while one case of G3 oral mucositis and two cases of G3 radiation dermatitis were reported. (4) Conclusions: A sequential combination of checkpoint inhibitors and hypoRT may provide clinical benefit with acceptable toxicity in frail and elderly patients with advanced HNSCC unfit for standard therapy. Full article
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