Dr. Saba on the Future of Treatment 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 the future of treatment in head and neck cancer.

The introduction of immunotherapy to the head and neck cancer paradigm significantly improved outcomes for patients while maintaining quality of life, explains Saba.

However, the question of whether patients who progress on first-line immunotherapy can be resensitized to receive immunotherapy remains unclear, says Saba.

Determining the optimal sequencing strategy and combination regimen is critical to push the field forward. However, Saba predicts pembrolizumab will not be challenged as a standard of care for at least 1 year.