Expressão de marcadores imunofenotípicos em mononucleares sanguíneos de pacientes com carcinoma de células escamosas de cabeça e pescoço

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Immuno-oncology studies the immune system of cancer patients. In the last decades, immunotherapy has obtained a good response to the treatment of several types of locally advanced and metastatic cancers, by mechanisms of the patient's own immune system to enhance their immune response, acting on the tumor's escape mechanisms. OBJECTIVE: To study the immune mechanisms involved in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and their application in immunotherapy through biomarkers. METHOD: Literature review based on references researched at PUBMED, LILACS, MEDLINE, WHOLIS and SCIELO, using the keywords squamous cell carcinoma, head and neck, immuno-oncology, immunotherapy, immunology. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The main drugs currently approved for clinical use in patients diagnosed with HNSCC, are Pembrolizumab and Nivolumab, both classified as check point inhibitors (inhibitors of the T-lymphocyte PD-1 receptor), with improved survival and quality of life. Several authors and clinical trials indicate that its indication is conditioned to the dosage of PD-L1 (ligand expressed mainly by tumor cells), which is not a reliable biomarker in the selection of patients. CONCLUSION: Immunotherapy is indicated for patients with locally advanced metastatic HNSCC and has been evolving with PD-1 T-lymphocyte receptor inhibitor drugs, the indication of which is dependent on reliable biomarkers, which must be identified in order to achieve therapeutic success.