Further Understanding of the Immune Microenvironment in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Implications for Prognosis

Purpose: We aimed to review the literature on the tumor microenvironment as a key player in tumor growth and anti-cancer treatment responses in head and neck cancer. Patients and Methods: We reviewed the recent literature on this topic, using the following research words: tumor microenvironment and head and neck cancer or neoplasm or head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and immune cells and stromal cells. A search was conducted on the PubMed website and reports from international meetings, presentations and abstracts. Results: The tumor microenvironment is a complex network in which myeloid cells, tumoral cells, growth factors and cytokines are involved in angiogenesis, the extracellular matrix and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Conclusion: Immune resistance and rapid tumor growth depend on immunosuppressive and pro-tumoral environments. Further investigations to classify and adequately treat patients with head and neck cancer are required.

Automated summary

Through reviewing the literature, it was found that the tumor microenvironment plays a key role in tumor growth and treatment responses in head and neck cancer, with immune suppression and pro-tumoral environment being the main factors leading to immune resistance and rapid tumor growth. Additional investigations are needed to classify and treat patients with head and neck cancer effectively.