The Treatment of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma with PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) often presents insidiously and has a high proportion of late-stage diagnosis, with a five-year survival rate of only 50% to 60% for traditional combined treatment, indicating a poor overall prognosis. Immunotherapy has now become a hotspot in tumor research, yet there are still many research shortcomings in the immunotherapy of OSCC. This article reviews the application of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in OSCC. The results show that this target is highly expressed in cancer tissues, promoting tumor progression and indicating a poor prognosis. These drugs can rebuild the body's anti-tumor immunity and effectively improve the survival outcomes of patients with advanced disease and platinum resistance. However, the efficacy of monotherapy is limited, with an effective rate of only 20% to 30%, accompanied by the risk of resistance and various adverse reactions. This study provides a theoretical reference for the clinical practice of immunotherapy for OSCC. Currently, the mechanisms of resistance and individualized treatment options remain unclear. In the future, it is necessary to precisely screen suitable candidates, continuously optimize combination treatment modes, and promote the standardized development of immunotherapy for OSCC.