What prognostic factors have impacted the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with recurrent or metastatic oral cancer?

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely adapted for recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer (RM-HNC), and various studies on its prognostic factors have been reported. We aimed to elucidate the prognostic factors of ICI treatment for RM oral cancer (RM-OC) in a retrospective study.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with RM-OC treated with ICIs (nivolumab and pembrolizumab) at our department from May 2017 to February 2023.

Pulmonary Tuberculosis Following Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment for Recurrent Maxillary Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) like nivolumab and pembrolizumab are effective treatments for recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN). However, they can lead to immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and tuberculosis (TB) reactivation. We present a case of a 79-year-old male with recurrent maxillary squamous cell carcinoma treated with pembrolizumab, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil.

Clinical Application of the IllumiScan Fluorescence Visualization Device in Detecting Oral Mucosal Lesions.

Objective: Fluorescence visualization devices are screening devices that can be used to examine lesions of the oral mucosa non-invasively. We observed oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and leukoplakia using the IllumiScan(Shofu, Kyoto, Japan) fluorescence visualization device and examined its usefulness and characteristics.

Methods: We investigated 31 OSCC and nine leukoplakia in patients who were examined using the IllumiScan and treated in our department from January 2017 to February 2018.