Association between Tumor Microbiome and Hypoxia across Anatomic Subsites of Head and Neck Cancers.

Purpose/Objective(s): Microbiome has been shown to affect tumorigenesis by promoting inflammation. However, the association between the upper aerodigestive microbiome and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is not well established. Hypoxia is a modifiable factor associated with poor radiation response.

Metformin increases natural killer cell functions in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through CXCL1 inhibition.

Background: Metformin slows tumor growth and progression in vitro, and in combination with chemoradiotherapy, resulted in high overall survival in patients with head and neck cancer squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in our phase 1 clinical trial (NCT02325401). Metformin is also postulated to activate an antitumor immune response. Here, we investigate immunologic effects of metformin on natural killer (NK) and natural killer T cells, including results from two phase I open-label studies in patients with HNSCC treated with metformin (NCT02325401, NCT02083692).

Update of a prognostic survival model in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors using an expansion cohort.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) treatment in recurrent/metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) offers new therapeutic venues. We have previously developed a predictive survival model in this patient population based on clinical parameters, and the purpose of this study was to expand the study cohort and internally validate the model.

Methods: A single institutional retrospective analysis of R/M HNSCC patients treated with ICI.

Current Therapy for Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer: Evidence, Opportunities, and Challenges.

Management of metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is evolving as new systemic therapies have led to improvements in survival, and as advances in locoregional therapy and the increased numbers of patients with HPV-associated cancers who develop oligometastases raise the possibility of ablation of limited numbers of metastases. We review the data regarding first-line immunotherapy in PD-L1-expressing metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, the experience with aggressive local management of oligometastases, and promising novel immunotherapies, targeted therapies, and HPV-specific treatments. For patients with metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that is PD-L1 expressing, first-line systemic therapy is pembrolizumab or pembrolizumab with chemotherapy.