Opportunities and Challenges of Head and Neck Cancer Treatment in the Era of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

In recent years, the field of oncology has witnessed transformative advancements with the introduction of immunotherapy, particularly in the treatment of head and neck cancers. Immunotherapy, by leveraging the body's immune system, has opened new avenues in combating these malignancies, which have traditionally been challenging to treat. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, a class of immunotherapeutic agents, have shown significant promise in improving patient outcomes across various solid tumors, including head and neck cancers. These therapies have been associated with durable responses, increased survival rates, and, in some instances, complete tumor regression. Despite these advancements, the application of immunotherapy in solid tumors, such as head and neck cancers, is not without challenges. The tumor microenvironment often presents an immunosuppressive barrier, characterized by the expression of inhibitory molecules and the recruitment of regulatory immune cells, which can hinder the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Addressing these challenges necessitates innovative approaches, including combination therapies, personalized medicine, and targeted delivery systems, to enhance immune response and optimize treatment outcomes. Furthermore, the identification of predictive biomarkers for patient selection remains a critical area of ongoing research.

This research topic aims to deepen our understanding of solid tumor immunotherapy, particularly in the context of head and neck cancers. It seeks to explore the intricate relationship between the tumor microenvironment and immune checkpoint inhibitors, identify biomarkers for patient selection and response prediction, and investigate combination approaches with other treatment modalities. By fostering collaborations and inspiring novel research directions, this topic endeavors to advance the field and improve therapeutic strategies for head and neck cancer patients.

To gather further insights into the opportunities and challenges of head and neck cancer treatment in the era of immune checkpoint inhibitors, we welcome Original Research, Review, and Perspective articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- The relationship between the tumor microenvironment and immune checkpoint inhibitors in head and neck cancers.
- Biomarkers for patient selection and response prediction in the treatment of immune checkpoint inhibitors in head and neck cancers.
- Combination approaches of immune checkpoint inhibitors with other treatment modalities.
- Predictive biomarkers for immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in head and neck cancers.

Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases, which are not accompanied by robust and relevant validation (clinical cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo), are out of scope for this topic.