Immunotherapy Prescribing Patterns and Immune-Related Adverse Events in Head and Neck Cancer

Introduction

Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment since its approval for recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer (HNC). Drugs like pembrolizumab and nivolumab work by blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, essentially releasing the brakes on the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Despite their efficacy, real-world usage patterns and associated immune-related adverse events (irAEs) remain underexplored. This comprehensive analysis of 47,365 HNC patients examines prescribing trends and identifies key risk factors for treatment complications, providing crucial insights for oncologists managing these complex cases.

Study Design and Methodology