Dr. Weiss Discusses the Impact of Immunotherapy on Head and Neck Cancer

Jared Weiss, MD, assistant professor, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the impact of immunotherapy in head and neck cancer.

Weiss says that head and neck cancer is one of the more immunogenic cancers, along with lung cancer and melanoma. The superiority of nivolumab (Opdivo) over second-line chemotherapy in the platinum-refractory setting was demonstrated in a recent randomized clinical trial. Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) has also shown benefit. Both of these agents are currently FDA-approved for patients with head and neck cancer.

Both single- and double-agent strategies are currently being tested in phase III clinical trials, data of which is expected this year. Immunotherapy agents have revolutionized the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer, and one day they may replace cisplatin, Weiss says.