Pembrolizumab is in clinical development as neoadjuvant therapy (given before surgery to shrink a tumour) and in combination with standard of care radiotherapy as adjuvant therapy (given after surgery) for the treatment of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). HNSCC is a cancer that develops in the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose or throat. Locally advanced cancers are cancers that have spread from where they started to nearby tissue or lymph nodes. Locally advanced HNSCC outcomes are poor and recurrence rates are high with radiotherapy as neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant therapy. Current chemotherapy options cause severe adverse events in many patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new effective treatments to improve patient outcomes.
Pembrolizumab neoadjuvant therapy and as adjuvant therapy with radiotherapy for previously untreated stage III/IVA head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Pembrolizumab is in clinical development as neoadjuvant therapy (given before surgery to shrink a tumour) and in combination with standard of care radiotherapy as adjuvant therapy (given after surgery) for the treatment of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). HNSCC is a cancer that develops in the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose or throat.