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Disease
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
Late-stage therapeutic developmentEmerging researchCooling momentum
21
Publications
17
Clinical trials
7
Related conditions
2
Related treatments
12
Associated genes
12
Related proteins
2025
Latest publication
Current focus
Indoleamine 2 biologyPhosphatidylinositol 3 biologyTherapeutic developmentInflammation & immunity
Latest activity
betaRecent clinical, regulatory, research and industry developments relating to this disease.
Clinical trial2026-08-27Status changed to Active, not recruiting · ClinicalTrials.gov
Clinical trial2026-08-27Status changed to Completed · ClinicalTrials.gov
A Phase 1 Study of CHS-114 in Participants With Advanced Solid Tumors
Clinical trial2026-08-12Status changed to Active, not recruiting · ClinicalTrials.gov
Clinical trial2026-08-07Status changed to Active, not recruiting · ClinicalTrials.gov
Clinical trial2026-07-23Status changed to Terminated · ClinicalTrials.gov
Clinical trial2026-07-16Status changed to Active, not recruiting · ClinicalTrials.gov
Clinical trial2026-07-14Status changed to Completed · ClinicalTrials.gov
Research2025-01-13Journal of advanced research
Research2024-04-29Molecular biology reports
The Use of Immune Regulation in Treating Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC).
Research2024-02-27Cells
Research2023-11-01JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery
Oral squamous cell carcinomas: state of the field and emerging directions.
Research2023-09-22International journal of oral science
What's happening now
An analyst briefing on current research, clinical, regulatory and industry activity surrounding this disease.
Executive briefingUpdating summary…Momentum: Moderate
Key developments
- 5 clinical trials expected to report results, the earliest in Q3 2027.
Upcoming Milestones
- Q3 2027Pembrolizumab and Radiotherapy for OLigometastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: a Randomized Phase III Study
- Q1 2028HEADLIGHT: Hypofractionated Proton Therapy for Head and Neck Cancers
- Q3 2028The 5-Fluorouracil Response and Optimization STudy (The FROST Trial): A Randomized Phase II Trial of Two Dosage Regimens (2D-Q2W vs 4D-Q3W) of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in Patients With Platinum and PD-1 Inhibitor Pre-treated Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Q2 2029A Phase 3, Randomized, Open-Label, Multicenter Study of Amivantamab in Addition to Carboplatin and Pembrolizumab, Compared to Standard of Care Platinum and Pembrolizumab and 5-FU, in Participants With Treatment-Naïve Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Q2 2030A Randomized, Open-label, Multicenter, Phase 3 Trial of Ivonescimab Alone or With Ligufalimab Versus Pembrolizumab in First-line Recurrent and/or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)
Major developments
Upcoming trial readoutHigh impact
Results expected Q2 20292026-07-31
Upcoming trial readoutHigh impact
Results expected Q3 20272026-05-28
Clinical MilestonesViewHide
Results posted
Results expected
- 2026-07-31A Phase 3, Randomized, Open-Label, Multicenter Study of Amivantamab in Addition to Carboplatin and Pembrolizumab, Compared to Standard of Care Platinum and Pembrolizumab and 5-FU, in Participants With Treatment-Naïve Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell CarcinomaResults expected Q2 2029
- 2026-07-16HEADLIGHT: Hypofractionated Proton Therapy for Head and Neck CancersResults expected Q1 2028
- 2026-05-28Pembrolizumab and Radiotherapy for OLigometastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: a Randomized Phase III StudyResults expected Q3 2027
- 2026-05-20A Randomized, Open-label, Multicenter, Phase 3 Trial of Ivonescimab Alone or With Ligufalimab Versus Pembrolizumab in First-line Recurrent and/or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)Results expected Q2 2030
- 2026-04-27The 5-Fluorouracil Response and Optimization STudy (The FROST Trial): A Randomized Phase II Trial of Two Dosage Regimens (2D-Q2W vs 4D-Q3W) of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in Patients With Platinum and PD-1 Inhibitor Pre-treated Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell CarcinomaResults expected Q3 2028
Other updates
- 2028-05-31Phase II Trial of Xevinapant and Chemoradiotherapy in Adjuvant Treatment for Patients With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma With High Risk Pathologic FeaturesWithdrawn
- 2026-06-18Phase 2 Pragmatic Trial Investigating Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) Efficacy and Safety in Patients With Clinically Node-Negative (cN0), High-Risk Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cSCC) of the Head and NeckWithdrawn
Activity timeline8
- 2028-05-31ClinicalPhase II Trial of Xevinapant and Chemoradiotherapy in Adjuvant Treatment for Patients With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma With High Risk Pathologic FeaturesWithdrawn
- 2026-07-31ClinicalA Phase 3, Randomized, Open-Label, Multicenter Study of Amivantamab in Addition to Carboplatin and Pembrolizumab, Compared to Standard of Care Platinum and Pembrolizumab and 5-FU, in Participants With Treatment-Naïve Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell CarcinomaResults expected Q2 2029
- 2026-07-16ClinicalHEADLIGHT: Hypofractionated Proton Therapy for Head and Neck CancersResults expected Q1 2028
- 2026-06-18ClinicalPhase 2 Pragmatic Trial Investigating Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) Efficacy and Safety in Patients With Clinically Node-Negative (cN0), High-Risk Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cSCC) of the Head and NeckWithdrawn
- 2026-05-28ClinicalPembrolizumab and Radiotherapy for OLigometastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: a Randomized Phase III StudyResults expected Q3 2027
- 2026-05-20ClinicalA Randomized, Open-label, Multicenter, Phase 3 Trial of Ivonescimab Alone or With Ligufalimab Versus Pembrolizumab in First-line Recurrent and/or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)Results expected Q2 2030
- 2026-05-13ClinicalA Randomized, Double-blind Phase II Study of Adjuvant Pembrolizumab Versus Placebo in Head and Neck Cancers at High Risk for Recurrence - the PATHWay Study.Results posted
- 2026-04-27ClinicalThe 5-Fluorouracil Response and Optimization STudy (The FROST Trial): A Randomized Phase II Trial of Two Dosage Regimens (2D-Q2W vs 4D-Q3W) of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in Patients With Platinum and PD-1 Inhibitor Pre-treated Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell CarcinomaResults expected Q3 2028
Therapeutic landscape
Therapies with a regulatory footing for this condition, alongside the wider set of agents co-studied with it in the literature.
Approved & established therapies
Nivolumabapproved
Approval — Melanoma Opdivo as monotherapy or in combination with ipilimumab is indicated for the tr… (2015)
Pembrolizumabapproved
Approval — Melanoma Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adults and adolescents… (2015)
Docetaxelapproved
Approval — Breast cancer Docetaxel Kabi in combination with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide is indi… (2012)
Temoporfinapproved
Approval — Foscan is indicated for the palliative treatment of patients with advanced head and neck… (2001)
Research-associated treatments
Clinical trials
The current development programme across all trial phases.
Clinical programme
17
6
4
5
Late-stage studies
Recruiting
Recently completed
Regulatory timeline
Drug regulatory events matched to this condition by indication — EMA.
First approvals
2015emaApproval — Pembrolizumab· Melanoma Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older with advanced (unresectable or metastatic) melanoma. Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older with Stage IIB, IIC, or with Stage III melanoma and lymph node involvement who have undergone complete resection. Non small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) Keytruda, in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as monotherapy as adjuvant treatment, is indicated for the treatment of resectable non small cell lung carcinoma at high risk of recurrence in adults Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adults with non-small cell lung carcinoma who are at high risk of recurrence following complete resection and platinum based chemotherapy (for selection criteria, see section 5.1). Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the first line treatment of metastatic non small cell lung carcinoma in adults whose tumours express PD L1 with a ≥ 50% tumour proportion score (TPS) with no EGFR or ALK positive tumour mutations. Keytruda, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of metastatic non squamous non small cell lung carcinoma in adults whose tumours have no EGFR or ALK positive mutations. Keytruda, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or nab paclitaxel, is indicated for the first line treatment of metastatic squamous non small cell lung carcinoma in adults. Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non small cell lung carcinoma in adults whose tumours express PD L1 with a ≥ 1% TPS and who have received at least one prior chemotherapy regimen. Patients with EGFR or ALK positive tumour mutations should also have received targeted therapy before receiving KEYTRUDA. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) Keytruda, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first‑line treatment of adults with unresectable non-epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma. Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult and paediatric patients aged 3 years and older with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma who have failed autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or following at least two prior therapies when ASCT is not a treatment option. Urothelial carcinoma Keytruda, in combination with enfortumab vedotin, as neoadjuvant treatment and then continued after radical cystectomy as adjuvant treatment, is indicated for the treatment of adults with resectable muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) who are ineligible for cisplatin‑containing chemotherapy. Keytruda, in combination with enfortumab vedotin, is indicated for the first-line treatment of unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma in adults. Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma in adults who have received prior platinum containing chemotherapy.Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma in adults who are not eligible for cisplatin containing chemotherapy and whose tumours express PD L1 with a combined positive score (CPS) ≥ 10. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma as neoadjuvant treatment, continued as adjuvant treatment in combination with radiation therapy with or without concomitant cisplatin and then as monotherapy in adults whose tumours express PD-L1 with a CPS ≥ 1. Keytruda, as monotherapy or in combination with platinum and 5 fluorouracil (5 FU) chemotherapy, is indicated for the first line treatment of metastatic or unresectable recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in adults whose tumours express PD L1 with a CPS ≥ 1. Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in adults whose tumours express PD L1 with a ? 50% TPS and progressing on or after platinum containing chemotherapy. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) Keytruda, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma in adults. Keytruda, in combination with lenvatinib, is indicated for the first line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma in adults. Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adults with renal cell carcinoma at increased risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions (for selection criteria, please see section 5.1). Microsatellite instability high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) cancers Colorectal cancer (CRC)Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for theadults with MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer in the following settings: first line treatment of metastatic microsatellite instability high (MSI H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer in adults; treatment of unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer after previous fluoropyrimidine based combination therapy. Non-colorectal cancersKeytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of the following MSI H or dMMR tumours in adults with: advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma, who have disease progression on or following prior treatment with a platinum containing therapy in any setting and who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation; unresectable or metastatic gastric, small intestine, or biliary cancer, who have disease progression on or following at least one prior therapy. Oesophageal carcinoma Keytruda, in combination with platinum and fluoropyrimidine based chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic carcinoma of the oesophagus in adults whose tumours express PD L1 with a CPS ≥ 10. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) Keytruda, in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as monotherapy as adjuvant treatment after surgery, is indicated for the treatment of adults with locally advanced, or early stage triple negative breast cancer at high risk of recurrence. Keytruda, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic triple negative breast cancer in adults whose tumours express PD L1 with a CPS ≥ 10 and who have not received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Endometrial carcinoma (EC) Keytruda, in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, is indicated for the first-line treatment of primary advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy. Keytruda, in combination with lenvatinib, is indicated for the treatment of advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma in adults who have disease progression on or following prior treatment with a platinum containing therapy in any setting and who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation. Cervical cancer Keytruda, in combination with chemoradiotherapy (external beam radiation therapy followed by brachytherapy), is indicated for the treatment of FIGO 2014 Stage III - IVA locally advanced cervical cancer in adults who have not received prior definitive therapy. Keytruda, in combination with chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer in adults whose tumours express PD L1 with a CPS ≥ 1. Gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma Keytruda, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma in adults whose tumours express PD-L1 with a CPS ≥ 1. Keytruda, in combination with fluoropyrimidine and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-negative gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma in adults whose tumours express PD L1 with a CPS ≥ 1 (see section 5.1). Biliary tract carcinoma (BTC) Keytruda, in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin, is indicated for the first-line treatment of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic biliary tract carcinoma in adults. Ovarian Cancer Keytruda, in combination with paclitaxel, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of platinum‑resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal carcinoma in adults whose tumours express PD‑L1 with a CPS ≥ 1 and who have received one or two prior systemic treatment regimens. source ↗
2015emaApproval — Nivolumab· Melanoma Opdivo as monotherapy or in combination with ipilimumab is indicated for the treatment of advanced (unresectable or metastatic) melanoma in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older.Relative to nivolumab monotherapy, an increase in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for the combination of nivolumab with ipilimumab is established only in patients with low tumour PD-L1 expression (see sections 4.4 and 5.1). Adjuvant treatment of melanoma Opdivo as monotherapy is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older with Stage IIB or IIC melanoma, or melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection (see section 5.1). Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Opdivo in combination with ipilimumab and 2 cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in adults whose tumours have no sensitising EGFR mutation or ALK translocation. Opdivo as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer after prior chemotherapy in adults. Neoadjuvant treatment of NSCLC Opdivo in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy is indicated for the neoadjuvant treatment of resectable non-small cell lung cancer at high risk of recurrence in adult patients whose tumours have PD-L1 expression ≥ 1% (see section 5.1 for selection criteria). Neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment of NSCLC Opdivo, in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, followed by OPDIVO as monotherapy as adjuvant treatment, is indicated for the treatment of resectable non-small cell lung cancer at high risk of recurrence in adult patients whose tumours have PD-L1 expression ≥ 1% (see section 5.1 for selection criteria). Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) Opdivo in combination with ipilimumab is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) Opdivo as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma after prior therapy in adults. Opdivo in combination with ipilimumab is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate/poor-risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (see section 5.1). Opdivo in combination with cabozantinib is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (see section 5.1). Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) Opdivo in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine and dacarbazine (AVD) is indicated for adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older with previously untreated Stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Opdivo as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma after autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) and treatment with brentuximab vedotin. Opdivo in combination with brentuximab vedotin is indicated for the treatment of children 5 years of age and older, adolescents and adults up to 30 years of age with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma after one prior line of therapy (see section 5.1). Squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCCHN) Opdivo as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic squamous cell cancer of the head and neck in adults progressing on or after platinum-based therapy (see section 5.1). Urothelial carcinoma Opdivo in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Opdivo as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma in adults after failure of prior platinum-containing therapy. Adjuvant treatment of urothelial carcinoma Opdivo as monotherapy is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adults with muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC) with tumour cell PD-L1 expression ≥ 1%, who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of MIUC (see section 5.1). Mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) colorectal cancer (CRC) Opdivo in combination with ipilimumab is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with mismatch repair deficient or microsatellite instability-high colorectal cancer in the following settings:- first-line treatment of unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer;- treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer after prior fluoropyrimidine-based combination chemotherapy (see section 5.1). Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) Opdivo in combination with ipilimumab is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma with tumour cell PD-L1 expression ≥ 1%. Opdivo in combination with fluoropyrimidine‑ and platinum‑based combination chemotherapy is indicated for the first‑line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma with tumour cell PD‑L1 expression ≥ 1%. Opdivo as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma after prior fluoropyrimidine‑ and platinum‑based combination chemotherapy. Adjuvant treatment of oesophageal or gastro‑oesophageal junction cancer (OC or GEJC) Opdivo as monotherapy is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with oesophageal or gastro‑oesophageal junction cancer who have residual pathologic disease following prior neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (see section 5.1). Gastric, gastro‑oesophageal junction (GEJ) or oesophageal adenocarcinoma Opdivo in combination with fluoropyrimidine‑ and platinum‑based combination chemotherapy is indicated for the first‑line treatment of adult patients with HER2‑negative advanced or metastatic gastric, gastro‑oesophageal junction or oesophageal adenocarcinoma whose tumours express PD‑L1 with a combined positive score (CPS) ≥ 5. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) Opdivo in combination with ipilimumab is indicated for the first‑line treatment of adult patients with unresectable or advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. source ↗
2012emaApproval — Docetaxel· Breast cancer Docetaxel Kabi in combination with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with: operable node-positive breast cancer; operable node-negative breast cancer. For patients with operable node-negative breast cancer, adjuvant treatment should be restricted to patients eligible to receive chemotherapy according to internationally established criteria for primary therapy of early breast cancer. Docetaxel Kabi in combination with doxorubicin is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have not previously received cytotoxic therapy for this condition. Docetaxel Kabi monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of cytotoxic therapy. Previous chemotherapy should have included an anthracycline or an alkylating agent. Docetaxel Kabi in combination with trastuzumab is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer whose tumours overexpress HER2 and who previously have not received chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Docetaxel Kabi in combination with capecitabine is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Previous therapy should have included an anthracycline. Non-small-cell lung cancer Docetaxel Kabi is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy. Docetaxel Kabi in combination with cisplatin is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer, in patients who have not previously received chemotherapy for this condition. Prostate cancer Docetaxel Kabi in combination with prednisone or prednisolone is indicated for the treatment of patients with castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer. Docetaxel Kabi in combination with androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT), with or without prednisone or prednisolone, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Gastric adenocarcinoma Docetaxel Kabi in combination with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma, including adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction, who have not received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Head and neck cancer Docetaxel Kabi in combination with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil is indicated for the induction treatment of patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. source ↗
2012emaApproval — Docetaxel· Breast cancer Docetaxel Accord in combination with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with: operable node-positive breast cancer; operable node-negative breast cancer. For patients with operable node-negative breast cancer, adjuvant treatment should be restricted to patients eligible to receive chemotherapy according to internationally established criteria for primary therapy of early breast cancer. Docetaxel Accord in combination with doxorubicin is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have not previously received cytotoxic therapy for this condition. Docetaxel Accord monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of cytotoxic therapy. Previous chemotherapy should have included an anthracycline or an alkylating agent. Docetaxel Accord in combination with trastuzumab is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer whose tumours overexpress HER2 and who previously have not received chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Docetaxel Accord in combination with capecitabine is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Previous therapy should have included an anthracycline. Non-small-cell lung cancer Docetaxel Accord is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy. Docetaxel Accord in combination with cisplatin is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer, in patients who have not previously received chemotherapy for this condition. Prostate cancer Docetaxel Accord in combination with prednisone or prednisolone is indicated for the treatment of patients with hormone refractory metastatic prostate cancer. Gastric adenocarcinoma Docetaxel Accord in combination with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma, including adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction, who have not received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Head and neck cancer Docetaxel Accord in combination with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil is indicated for the induction treatment of patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. source ↗
2001emaApproval — Temoporfin· Foscan is indicated for the palliative treatment of patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma failing prior therapies and unsuitable for radiotherapy, surgery or systemic chemotherapy. source ↗
1995emaApproval — Docetaxel· Breast cancer Taxotere in combination with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with: operable node-positive breast cancer; operable node-negative breast cancer. For patients with operable node-negative breast cancer, adjuvant treatment should be restricted to patients eligible to receive chemotherapy according to internationally established criteria for primary therapy of early breast cancer. Taxotere in combination with doxorubicin is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have not previously received cytotoxic therapy for this condition. Taxotere monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced ormetastatic breast cancer after failure of cytotoxic therapy. Previous chemotherapy should have included an anthracycline or an alkylating agent. Taxotere in combination with trastuzumab is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer whose tumours overexpress HER2 and who previously have not received chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Taxotere in combination with capecitabine is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Previous therapy should have included an anthracycline. Non-small-cell lung cancer Taxotere is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy. Taxotere in combination with cisplatin is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer, in patients who have not previously received chemotherapy for this condition. Prostate cancer Taxotere in combination with prednisone or prednisolone is indicated for the treatment of patients with hormone refractory metastatic prostate cancer. Gastric adenocarcinoma Taxotere in combination with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma, including adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction, who have not received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Head and neck cancer Taxotere in combination with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil is indicated for the induction treatment of patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. source ↗
European Medicines Agency (CC BY 4.0). Events are matched to this condition by drug indication text — approvals/updates for drugs indicated for it, not disease-specific acts.
Research activity
Key research shaping understanding of this disease, combining the latest publications with the most influential evidence.
Publications over time
20172025
Most influential
Recent publications
Major themes8
- Head and Neck Neoplasms12
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell5
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck4
- Mouth Neoplasms3
- Immunotherapy2
- Tumor Microenvironment2
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized1
- Antineoplastic Agents1
Leading journals6
- International journal of oral science3
- Nature communications3
- Advances in anatomic pathology1
- Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology1
- Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie1
- Cancer cell1
Leading researchers8
- Ferris RL4
- Uppaluri R3
- Bruno TC2
- Burtness B2
- Cillo AR2
- Duvvuri U2
- Elbers JBW2
- Haanen JBAG2
Affiliations (unnormalised)6
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center4
- Brigham and Women's Hospital2
- Leiden University Medical Center2
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center2
- Oncode Institute2
- School of Medicine2
Associated genes
Genes associated with this disease in the canonical knowledge graph (Open Targets evidence). Number shows the association score.
Disease biology
Proteins whose encoding gene is associated with this disease, reached through the canonical gene→disease graph. Number shows the gene's association score.
Cellular tumor antigen p53via TP530.78Epidermal growth factor receptorvia EGFR0.73Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase and dual-specificity protein phosphatase PTENvia PTEN0.70Programmed cell death 1 ligand 1via CD2740.59Programmed cell death protein 1via PDCD10.59Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2via NFE2L20.51Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1via RAC10.45Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1via IDO10.39NKG2-A/NKG2-B type II integral membrane proteinvia KLRC10.30Lymphocyte activation gene 3 proteinvia LAG30.23Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 18via TNFRSF180.11Proepiregulinvia EREG0.10
Related conditions
Diseases frequently studied alongside this one. Number shows shared papers.
Disease profile
A grounded synthesis of the condition — overview, causes, mechanism, risk factors and current standard of care.
Overview
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is the most common carcinoma of the head and neck region and arises from the surface epithelium of sites such as the nasal cavity, mouth, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands, and larynx. It is a heterogeneous group of aggressive cancers that are often diagnosed at a late stage. The literature commonly distinguishes HPV-positive from HPV-negative disease.
Causes
Known associated causes include tobacco consumption and alcohol abuse, particularly for oral cavity and laryngeal cancers. Pharyngeal cancers are increasingly attributed to infection with human papillomavirus, especially HPV-16. The disease is also associated with mutations in TNFRSF10B, PTEN, and ING1.
Pathophysiology
The disease develops through histological progression from cellular atypia and dysplasia to invasive squamous carcinoma, although many cases present without an obvious premalignant lesion. Its biology is shaped by genetic alteration, epigenetic modification, and a dysregulated tumor microenvironment. Immune evasion and altered immune checkpoint signaling are important features, and the tumor microenvironment can promote angiogenesis, proliferation, and metastasis.
Risk factors
Persistent exposure to tobacco, alcohol, and betel quid increases risk, and HPV infection is an important risk factor for a subset of cases. Oral potentially malignant disorders are also described as lesions with increased risk of progression to oral squamous cell carcinoma. The literature further supports a role for a dysregulated tumor microenvironment in disease development and progression.
Current standard of care
For most patients, surgery and radiotherapy are the primary treatment modalities. Conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy is also used, and regional surgery, irradiation, and chemotherapy are described as the main options outside of targeted approaches. Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors, including PD-1/PD-L1- and CTLA-4-directed agents, is an active treatment class in the literature, but the supplied grounding does not support a broader standard-of-care statement beyond these modalities.
AI-generated summary grounded in MeSH and 6 peer-reviewed sources. Informational only — not medical advice. Generated 2026-07-07.
Reference
Authoritative identity, definition & identifiers.
Defined in MeSH
The most common type of head and neck carcinoma that originates from cells on the surface of the NASAL CAVITY; MOUTH; PARANASAL SINUSES, SALIVARY GLANDS, and LARYNX. Mutations in TNFRSF10B, PTEN, and ING1 genes are associated with this cancer.
Identifiers
References & data sources
- Disease identity & definition — NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), public domain
- Clinical trials — ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- Research activity — Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) + OpenAlex-derived paper links
- Related entities are derived from literature co-mention (studied together) — associative, not causal.