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Integrating novel therapeutic monoclonal antibodies into the management of head and neck cancer
Author(s) -
Bauman Julie E.,
Ferris Robert L.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.28380
Subject(s) - medicine , cetuximab , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , monoclonal antibody , immunotherapy , immune system , immunology , epidermal growth factor receptor , antigen , cancer , cancer research , antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity , head and neck cancer , antibody
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an immunosuppressive malignancy. Interest in developing novel immunotherapies in HNSCC has been reawakened by the success of cetuximab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody (mAb) against the epidermal growth factor receptor, which likely relies on immune as well as antisignaling mechanisms. This review focuses on novel therapeutic mAbs in current clinical development against established mechanisms of immune evasion in HNSCC, targeting: 1) tumor antigens, with resultant potential to induce antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity and T cell activation; 2) immunosuppressive cytokines; 3) costimulatory tumor necrosis factor–family receptors; and 4) coinhibitory immune checkpoint receptors. Clinical trials of immunotherapeutic mAbs as monotherapy, in combination with cytolytic standard therapies exposing tumor antigens or in combination with other immunomodulatory mAbs, are urgently needed in HNSCC. Cancer 2014;120:624–632 . © 2013 American Cancer Society .