Immunobiology and immunotherapy of head and neck cancer

Abstract

The development of head and neck cancer (HNC) is strongly influenced by the host immune system. Immunoselection of tumors resistant to immune attack and the ability of established tumors to disarm or eliminate immune cells favor tumor progression. Recent evidence for local as well as systemic apoptosis of T lymphocytes, the paucity of dendritic cells (DC) at the tumor site, or the presence of signaling defects in T lymphocytes of patients with HNC emphasizes the fact that their antitumor responses are compromised. The clinical and biologic importance of these immune biomarkers is revealed by the finding that they appear to independently predict 5-year survival in patients with oral carcinoma. Whereas the mechanisms responsible for immune dysfunction in HNC are being investigated, new immunotherapeutic strategies, including antitumor vaccines and DC-based interventions, aim at the restoration of tumor-targeted immune responses. These novel biologic therapies, alone or in combination with conventional therapies, might be expected to protect immune cells from dysfunction or death and to enhance their antitumor activity.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma: Review of prognostic and predictive factors

“…21 Additionally, there is an association between lower 5-year survival rates in patients with OSCC and evidence of immune depression. 22 These facts highlight the importance of immune response in tumor control and the potential value of cancer immunotherapy. 22,23 Some specific symptoms, such as odynophagia, oral abnormal hemorrhage, and weight loss, also have been correlated with shorter survival.…”

“…22 These facts highlight the importance of immune response in tumor control and the potential value of cancer immunotherapy. 22,23 Some specific symptoms, such as odynophagia, oral abnormal hemorrhage, and weight loss, also have been correlated with shorter survival. 12 Weight loss is associated with higher mortality rates in patients with OSCC with recurrence or persistence of disease, or second primary tumor.…”

Expression of Pro- and Antiapoptotic Proteins in Circulating CD8+ T Cells of Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

“…In patients with cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), antitumor functions of T lymphocytes are often compromised (1,2). One of the responsible mechanisms is extensive T-cell apoptosis, which has been demonstrated to involve T lymphocytes at the tumor site as well as those in the peripheral circulation of patients with SCCHN (3,4) and with other cancers (5,6).…”

Role of prolactin receptor and CD25 in protection of circulating T lymphocytes from apoptosis in patients with breast cancer

“…Patients with cancer often have dysfunctions of the immune system (Kiessling et al, 1999;Whiteside, 2001). We have shown previously that the proportion of circulating T lymphocytes undergoing apoptosis is significantly higher in patients with melanoma or head and neck cancer compared to healthy individuals (Saito et al, 2000;Dworacki et al, 2001;Hoffmann et al, 2002).…”