Perioperative immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Perioperative immunotherapy for resectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has reached a turning point, with two phase III trials reporting positive results: adjuvant nivolumab improved disease-free survival (DFS) in HNSCC with pathologic high-risk features after resection, and perioperative pembrolizumab significantly prolonged event-free survival (EFS) in resectable locally advanced HNSCC. These data are driving a shift from conventional adjuvant frameworks toward integrated perioperative immunotherapy strategies, with the potential to improve long-term patient outcomes.