Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy in HPV-Negative Head and Neck Cancer
We are investigating how to best combine immunotherapy with radiotherapy in the curative treatment of head and neck cancer. While some patients receive surgery followed by radiation with or without chemotherapy, definitive radiotherapy and chemotherapy without surgery is commonly recommended to maintain an acceptable functional outcome. Recent clinical trials incorporating immunotherapy into treatment regimens for head and neck cancer have produced mixed results, highlighting the urgent need to better understand how these treatments should be combined to improve patient outcomes. Our research builds on the DEPEND trial, the first prospective trial to investigate neoadjuvant immunotherapy and chemotherapy before curative radiation and chemotherapy in patients with aggressive HPV-negative head and neck cancer. Using tumor tissue, blood samples, and clinical data collected during the trial, we will examine which biological factors predict treatment response, cancer recurrence, and patient survival. We will also investigate whether avoiding radiation to certain lymph nodes helps preserve the body's immune response against cancer. Ultimately, our work aims to guide more effective treatment strategies and improve outcomes for patients with high-risk head and neck cancer.
