Human Papilloma Virus Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and the Immune System: Pathogenesis, Immunotherapy and Future Perspectives

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 25; no. 5; p. 2798
• Main Authors: Khoo, A, Boyer, M, Jafri, Z, Makeham, T, Pham, T, Khachigian, L M, Floros, P, Dowling, E, Fedder, K, Shonka, Jr, D, Garneau, J, O'Meara, C H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 28-02-2024; MDPI
• Subjects: Alcohol; Antigens; Antimitotic agents; Antineoplastic agents; B cells; cancer of the oropharynx; Cancer therapies; Cell cycle; Cervical cancer; Development and progression; Epidemiology; Genes; Head & neck cancer; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Human papillomavirus; Human Papillomavirus Viruses; Humans; Immune system; Immune System - pathology; Immunotherapy; Infections; Mutation; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms - pathology; Papillomaviridae; Papillomavirus Infections; Pathogenesis; Radiation therapy; Review; Risk factors; Sexually transmitted diseases; Smoking; Squamous cell carcinoma; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Standard of care; STD; Throat cancer; Tobacco; Tumors; Viral infections; Australia; United Kingdom > UK; United States > US; immune system; cancer of the oropharynx; immunotherapy; head & neck cancer
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052798

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), involves the palatine tonsils, soft palate, base of tongue, and uvula, with the ability to spread to adjacent subsites. Personalized treatment strategies for Human Papillomavirus-associated squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (HPV
OPSCC) are yet to be established. In this article, we summarise our current understanding of the pathogenesis of HPV
OPSCC, the intrinsic role of the immune system, current ICI clinical trials, and the potential role of small molecule immunotherapy in HPV
OPSCC.