Recapitulating the tumor microenvironment in head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma: A narrative review

Abstract

ABSTRACT Interaction between the tumor microenvironment (TME) and tumor cells can promote disease progression. Understanding the biological make-up of head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is of the utmost necessity. Innovative treatment modalities in recent times aimed at both the tumor cells and the constituents of the TME of the malignancy have resulted in improved patient outcomes. This review deals with the interaction of the TME with HNSCC. For this review, we searched in PubMed and Google Scholar and included articles relating to the TME published in English until September 2021. The pertinent data were extracted from the relevant articles and synthesized into a single review. This review provides a holistic view of the important players at the molecular level of the immune environment of the tumor in HNSCC and how they can be harnessed for targeted therapeutics for patients with head-and-neck cancers.