Immunotherapy Drugs for Head and Neck Cancer
Immunotherapy drugs have shown promising results for the treatment of head and neck cancer in recent years. These drugs work by helping the body's own immune system better identify and attack cancer cells. Key immunotherapy drugs being studied include checkpoint inhibitors. Checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab and nivolumab block proteins called PD-1 and PD-L1 that help tumors hide from the immune system. This allows T-cells to better recognize and destroy cancer cells. Studies have found these drugs can significantly improve survival when used alone or in combination with chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer. Researchers are also exploring combining checkpoint inhibitors with other immunotherapies like vaccines to generate a stronger immune response.

Targeted Therapy Drugs for Head and Neck Cancer Subtypes
Many new targeted therapy Head and Neck Cancer Drugs are in development that zero in on specific genetic mutations driving certain subtypes of head and neck cancer. For example, about 20% of head and neck cancers have excess EGFR protein on their cell surfaces. The drugs cetuximab and necitumumab target EGFR and have shown promise when combined with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Other targeted therapies in trials include panitumumab which also targets EGFR, and drugs inhibiting the ALK, HER2 and FGFR3 proteins implicated in some head and neck cancers. Biomarker testing of tumors is allowing oncologists to increasingly match patients to targeted drugs addressing the exact mutations fueling their individual cancer's growth.

Get More Insights on- Head And Neck Cancer Drugs