Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the seventh most prevalent cancer globally, originates from the mucosal epithelium of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. Traditional risk factors like alcohol and tobacco use have long been recognized, but there’s an increasing incidence of cases linked to human papillomavirus (HPV). Key risk factors include tobacco, alcohol, and the human papillomavirus (HPV). The majority of HNSCC cases presents with either local or locoregional disease, which can be treated with curative intent therapies. The standard care for locoregionally advanced HNSCC involves chemoradiation or surgery followed by adjuvant treatments, including radiation with or without chemotherapy. Despite these efforts, high recurrence rates persist, highlighting the need for research into more effective prognostic and treatment strategies.

This Research Topic aims to explore the efficacy and processes of neoadjuvant therapies in HNSCC, examining their potential to revolutionize patient outcomes. In the advanced stages, PD-1 antibody-based immune checkpoint blockade has set new standards of care, while early results from neoadjuvant immunotherapy trials—both as standalone treatments and in combination with other therapies—show promise in enhancing survival rates. Delving deeper into these preliminary successes could unlock crucial improvements in treatment efficacy and patient longevity.

To gather further insights in this evolving field, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

Novel combination strategies with or without immunotherapy
Comparative analysis of neoadjuvant therapy versus traditional treatments.
The role of HPV in treatment response to neoadjuvant therapies
Immunological markers as predictors of response to neoadjuvant treatments.
Long-term outcomes and quality of life improvements post-neoadjuvant therapy.
Challenges and advancements in the integration of immunotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting.

Please note: manuscripts focusing solely on bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases without accompanying validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this Research Topic and will not be considered.

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Frontiers in Oncology

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