Human Papilloma Virus Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and the Immune System: Pathogenesis, Immunotherapy and Future Perspectives

A. Khoo; M. Boyer; Z. Jafri; T. Makeham; T. Pham; L. M. Khachigian; P. Floros; E. Dowling; K. Fedder; D. Shonka; J. Garneau; C. H. O’Meara

doi:10.3390/ijms25052798

International Journal of Molecular Sciences (Feb 2024)

Human Papilloma Virus Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and the Immune System: Pathogenesis, Immunotherapy and Future Perspectives

A. Khoo,
M. Boyer,
Z. Jafri,
T. Makeham,
T. Pham,
L. M. Khachigian,
P. Floros,
E. Dowling,
K. Fedder,
D. Shonka,
J. Garneau,
C. H. O’Meara

Affiliations

A. Khoo: Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Canberra Health Services, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
M. Boyer: Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
Z. Jafri: Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
T. Makeham: Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Canberra Health Services, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
T. Pham: Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Canberra Health Services, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
L. M. Khachigian: Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
P. Floros: St Vincent’s Hospital, 390 Victoria Street, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
E. Dowling: Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
K. Fedder: Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
D. Shonka: Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
J. Garneau: Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
C. H. O’Meara: Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Canberra Health Services, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25052798
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 25, no. 5
p. 2798

Abstract

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Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), involves the palatine tonsils, soft palate, base of tongue, and uvula, with the ability to spread to adjacent subsites. Personalized treatment strategies for Human Papillomavirus-associated squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (HPV+OPSCC) are yet to be established. In this article, we summarise our current understanding of the pathogenesis of HPV+OPSCC, the intrinsic role of the immune system, current ICI clinical trials, and the potential role of small molecule immunotherapy in HPV+OPSCC.

Published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences

ISSN: 1661-6596 (Print); 1422-0067 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General); Science: Chemistry
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms

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