Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are highly immunogenic and have elevated expression of immune checkpoint modulators. As such, there has been much interest in the development of immunotherapies to allow for targeted treatment programs. 

The first immunotherapies approved for recurrent/metastatic HNSCCs are anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) Keytruda (approved both as monotherapy and in combination with platinum chemotherapy) and Opdivo (approved only as monotherapy). In this setting, we expect that ICIs are used primarily for first-line patients, with Keytruda being favored over Opdivo.

Future trends covered in this report include:

• Chemotherapy-free regimens for recurrent/metastatic first-line patients

• Therapeutic vaccines for HPV-positive patients

• New options for second-line recurrent/metastatic HNSCC

• New PD-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy for recurrent/metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

• New therapies for locally advanced disease