Tumor Microenvironment Modulation by Cetuximab and its Contribution to Subsequent Immune-Checkpoint Inhibition Therapy in Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Current clinical and observational evidence supports the EXTREME regimen as 1 of the standards of care for patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) followed by the administration of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). In addition to the inhibition of the endothelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway, cetuximab-mediated EGFR blockade has been shown to modulate tumor microenvironment (TME) characteristics, such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) infiltration into the tumor, anti-angiogenesis activity, and cytokine secretion via associated natural killer (NK) cells.
Source: Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Source Type: research