Abstract:

The treatment paradigm for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC) has undergone fundamental changes since the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs). This article provides a systematic review of the latest advances in HNSCC immunotherapy. ICIs, represented by PD-1 inhibitors, have not only significantly prolonged the overall survival of patients with recurrent/metastatic HNSCC but have also expanded their application to the perioperative management of locally advanced disease, effectively improving pathological response rates and survival rates. Combination strategies(such as with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or targeted therapy) have further enhanced efficacy through synergistic effects. Meanwhile, novel agents like bispecific antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates offer additional therapeutic options. However, HNSCC immunotherapy still faces challenges, including heterogeneous responses, complex resistance mechanisms, and the limited predictive power of existing biomarkers(e.g., PD-L1, tumor mutational burden). Future research should focus on developing precision stratification models based on multi-omics, optimizing combination strategies to overcome resistance, and actively exploring novel immunotherapeutic agents. In conclusion, immunotherapy has become a cornerstone of comprehensive HNSCC treatment, and its continuous evolution towards precision and multimodal approaches is expected to lay a more solid foundation for improving patient prognosis.

Key words: head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, immune checkpoint inhibitors, programmed death-1, combination therapy, biomarkers