Latest Research on Head and Neck Cancer

Executive Summary

Several latest research studies are underway to seek more information on head and neck cancer prevention methods, diagnostic process at the initial phase, and best treatment strategies. At the same time, certain studies analyze various drugs that can effectively treat head and neck cancers, including targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy drugs or medications. Radiofrequency thermal ablation or RFA is considered to be a minimally invasive treatment option. While current research focuses on immunotherapy drugs that can block a protein called PD-1 protein which is on the surface of T-cells, as the T-cells are a kind of white blood cell that helps the immune system of the body to fight diseases.

In addition to this, many current studies focus on combining different therapies and treatment methods to treat and cure head and neck cancers effectively. Gene therapy is an emerging field showing tremendous promise in treating head and neck cancers effectively. Proton therapy could be an effective treatment strategy for treating head and neck cancers. Photodynamic therapy uses a light-sensitive substance injected into the tumor mass. In this, the substance stays longer in cancer cells than in healthy, normal cells. Several researchers are investigating the possibility of whether the HPV vaccine that is effective in preventing vaginal, vulvar, anal and cervical cancer can be effective in preventing certain head and neck cancers or not.

Many clinical trials are studying and analyzing better ways to manage and relieve the symptoms and side effects of current head and neck cancer treatments while improving the quality and comfort of the life of the patient.

Advancement in Head and Neck Cancer Research

Scientists and doctors constantly analyze and learn more about head and neck cancers. As a result, they are trying to devise better strategies to prevent and treat the disease. Many studies focus on discovering methods to provide the best possible treatment and care for cancer patients. Particularly for people with head and neck tumors.

Many clinical trials test different treatment options for different head and neck cancers. Therefore, patients and caregivers should communicate with their doctors to learn about all the best available diagnostic methods, treatment options, and current research concerning head and neck cancer. The following are some latest advancements happening with respect to head and neck cancer treatment and care.

Drug-related Therapies

New drugs or medications: Several research studies analyze various drugs that can be used to treat head and neck cancers effectively, such as targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy drugs or medications ^​1​.

Immunotherapy: Current research focuses on immunotherapy drugs that can block a protein called PD-1. PD-1protein is found on the surface of T-cells. T-cells are a kind of white blood cell that helps the immune system of the body fight diseases. Since the protein PD-1 prevents the immune system from fighting and eliminating cancer cells, it is essential to stop PD-1 from working to enable the immune system to destroy the disease better. There are two immunotherapy drugs specifically treating recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancers. Clinical studies are also analyzing the efficiency of PD-1 immunotherapy. While focusing on treating people with metastatic and recurrent head and neck cancers ^​2​.

Combined therapies: Many current studies focus on combining different types of therapies and treatment methods to treat and cure head and neck cancers effectively. Combined therapies focus specifically on improving the quality and comfort of life of the patient, by curing the disease in a time-bound, effective manner ^​3​.

Other Effective Treatments

Radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA): Radiofrequency thermal ablation or RFA is considered a minimally invasive treatment option ^​4​. Here, heat is applied to the tumor which destroys and eliminates the tumor cells. RFA is typically used to treat a localized tumor growth that cannot be removed via surgery.

Gene therapy: Gene therapy refers to a targeted form of treatment that employs biological gene manipulation to change or mutate bits of genetic code in a person’s cells. Hence, gene therapy is an emerging field showing tremendous promise in effectively treating head and neck cancers. 

Proton therapy: Proton therapy could be an effective treatment strategy for treating head and neck cancers. The treatment procedure reduces the damage caused to the normal, healthy tissue. This radiation therapy technique can be vital in protecting essential structures in the head, like the optic nerves, and brain stem, when used to treat chordoma or chondrosarcoma and nasopharyngeal cancer. Chordoma and chondrosarcoma are types of bone cancer. While, chordoma is a rare tumor in the skull base or the spine, chondrosarcoma is a tumor that occurs in the cartilage.

Photodynamic therapy: In photodynamic therapy, a light-sensitive substance is injected into the tumor mass, such that the substance stays longer in cancer cells than in healthy, normal cells. Afterward, the laser targets the tumor and helps to destroy and eliminate the tumor cells. The long-term side effects of photodynamic therapy are still under study.

Other related researches

HPV: Many studies investigate the connection between head and neck cancers and HPV. The studies analyze why HPV increases the risk of head and neck cancers and how the virus can impact the outcome of specific treatment procedures. Researchers are investigating the possibility of whether the HPV vaccine that is effective in preventing vaginal, vulvar, anal and cervical cancer can be effective in preventing certain head and neck cancers or not.

Supportive or Palliative care: Palliative or supportive care forms an integral part of tumor treatment and care. Moreover, many clinical trials are studying and analyzing better ways to manage and relieve the symptoms and side effects of current head and neck cancer treatments, thereby improving the quality and comfort of the life of the patient.

References