The role of antagonists of the PD-1:PD-L1/PD-L2 axis in head and neck cancer treatment

Highlights • Targeting of the PD-1:PD-L1 axis demonstrates promise in the treatment of head and neck cancer patients. • PD-1/PD-L1 blockade enhances the effector arm of the immune response. • PD-L1 expression in the tumor microenvironment is the best available biomarker to predict response to therapy. • Differences in the Fc portion of the blocking antibodies may have therapeutic implications. • Combinatorial strategies are being evaluated to improve response rates to PD-1:PD-L1 blockade.