Open AccessThe Role of the Programmed Death Receptor-1/Programmed Death Ligand-1: Immunologic Checkpoint in Human Papillomavirus–Associated Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Author(s) -
Christine Kunkle,
Flavia Rosado
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
archives of pathology and laboratory medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.79
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1543-2165
pISSN - 0003-9985
DOI - 10.5858/arpa.2017-0561-ra
Subject(s) - head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , head and neck cancer , context (archaeology) , pd l1 , medicine , human papillomavirus , cancer , cancer research , programmed cell death , tumor microenvironment , oncology , immunology , pathology , immunotherapy , biology , apoptosis , genetics , paleontology
Context.— There has been increasing interest in understanding the role of programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) pathway in cancer biology and its clinical significance in cancer therapy. Objective.— To discuss the studies of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in human papillomavirus–positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, focusing on the pathogenesis of cancer, characterization of the tumor microenvironment, and the effect of such studies in laboratory medicine. Data sources.— Data sources included peer-reviewed literature and reputable online sources. Conclusions.— To date, there are few studies of PD-1 and PD-L1 in human papillomavirus–positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. There is evidence that the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway has a role in this type of cancer; however, further studies are needed to better characterize the effect of the human papillomavirus and its use as a marker of therapy response.