Innovations in Molecular Biomarkers and Biomaterial-Based Immunotherapies for Head & Neck Cancer

Authors

Sarah Anne Wong
Victoria A Manon
Simon Young
Chi T Viet

Publication Date

1-1-2024

Journal

Current Surgery Reports

DOI

10.1007/s40137-024-00386-z

PMID

38523630

PMCID

PMC10954983

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

2-28-2024

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Purpose of review: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) survival rates have remained stagnant due to a lack of targeted therapies and diagnostic tools. Patient risk is currently determined solely through clinicopathologic features, primarily tumor staging, which lacks the necessary precision to stratify patients by risk and accurately dictate adjuvant treatment. Similarly, conventional OSCC therapies have well-established toxicities and limited efficacy.

Recent findings: Recent studies show that patient risk can now be assessed using non-invasive techniques, at earlier time points, and with greater accuracy using molecular biomarker panels. Additionally, novel immunotherapies not only utilize the host's immune response to combat disease but also have the potential to form immunological memory to prevent future recurrence. Localized controlled-release formulas have further served to reduce toxicity and allow the de-escalation of other treatment modalities.

Summary: We review the latest advances in head and neck cancer diagnosis and treatment, including novel molecular biomarkers and immunotherapies.

Keywords

Biomarker, Immunotherapy, Oral cancer, Head and neck cancer, Biomaterials, Non-invasive biopsy

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Wong, Sarah Anne; Manon, Victoria A; Young, Simon; et al., "Innovations in Molecular Biomarkers and Biomaterial-Based Immunotherapies for Head & Neck Cancer" (2024). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 5179.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthgsbs_docs/5179