Open Access

REVIEW

Molecular insights into immune evasion in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas: Toward a promising treatment strategy

HYEON JI KIM^1,#, BO KYUNG JOO^1,#, JIN-SEOK BYUN^2,3,*, DO-YEON KIM^1,3,*

1 Department of Pharmacology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41940, Republic of Korea
2 Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41940, Republic of Korea
3 Brain Science and Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41940, Republic of Korea

* Corresponding Authors: JIN-SEOK BYUN. Email: ; DO-YEON KIM. Email:
# Equal contribution

Oncology Research 2025, 33(6), 1271-1282. https://doi.org/10.32604/or.2025.062207

Received 12 December 2024; Accepted 07 April 2025; Issue published 29 May 2025

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly aggressive and devastating disease arising primarily from the mucosal epithelium of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. HNSCC ranks as the sixth most common cancer worldwide, carrying significant morbidity and mortality. HPV-positive HNSCC can be partially prevented with the FDA-approved HPV vaccine and generally exhibits a more favorable prognosis compared to HPV-negative cases. However, effective screening and treatment approaches remain elusive for HPV-negative HNSCC. While precancerous lesions may precede invasive cancer in certain situations, most patients present with advanced disease without prior indication of precancerous conditions. Despite robust immune cell infiltration in HNSCC tumors, the extent and composition of immune infiltration vary widely among patients, and these tumors often evade immune surveillance through diverse mechanisms. Given the heterogeneous nature of HNSCC influenced by anatomical location and etiological factors, precise identification of biomarkers and personalized treatment strategies are imperative. In this study, we aim to explore the possibility of establishing an effective treatment strategy to overcome obstacles to targeted treatment and enable long-term survival through detailed molecular characterization and immune profiling of HNSCC.

---

Keywords

---