Salvage Therapy for Immunotherapy-Refractory Oral Cancer with Combination Chemotherapy

Abstract

Cancer immunotherapy based on the blockade of immune checkpoint molecules such as PD-1, CTLA-4, and PD-L1 has opened new opportunities for recurrent or metastatic cancers that are refractory to other therapies. Currently, immune checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab and pembrolizumab, human monoclonal IgG4 antibodies targeting PD-1 on T-cells, have been clinically successful in prolonging the overall survival of patients with recurrent and/or metastatic oral cancer. However, the overall response rate in patients treated with immunotherapy is still low and the optimal therapy is largely unknown, especially in cases in which immunotherapy is no longer effective. Recently, salvage therapy with combination chemotherapy offers a novel insight into the treatment for immunotherapy-refractory cases. We present our experience of successful treatment of salvage therapy in immunotherapy-refractory oral cancer.