Dr. Saba Discusses Ongoing Trials in Head and Neck Cancer

Nabil F. Saba, MD, FACP, director, Head and Neck Medical Oncology Program, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, professor, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Otolaryngology, Emory University School of Medicine, discusses ongoing clinical trials in head and neck cancer.

Currently, ongoing trials are evaluating combination regimens with immunotherapy in head and neck cancer, says Saba. Additionally, data from trials investigating EGFR inhibitors plus checkpoint inhibitors are maturing.

Other trials have demonstrated promising findings with TKIs, such as lenvatinib (Lenvima), plus checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab (Keytruda), in head and neck cancer, as well as thyroid cancer, Saba explains.

Human papillomavirus vaccines in combination with PD-1 inhibitors, as well as intratumoral injections that can alter the tumor microenvironment are also under evaluation, says Saba. Specifically, ongoing trials are exploring the potential role of STING agonists in boosting the local immune microenvironment and anti-immune effect of PD-1 inhibitors in patients with head and neck cancer, concludes Saba.