Immunotherapy in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising modality in the treatment of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) particularly for advanced and recurrent cases. Unlike conventional therapies which target the tumor directly immunotherapy harnesses the body's immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. The most widely studied approach in OSCC involves immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis. Drugs like nivolumab and pembrolizumab have demonstrated improved survival rates in patients with recurrent or metastatic OSCC especially those with PD-L1 expression.Combining immunotherapy with surgery radiotherapy or chemotherapy is being explored to increase efficacy. As research progresses personalized immunotherapy guided by molecular profiling holds the potential to significantly improve prognosis and quality of life for OSCC patients. Continuous clinical trials and translational research are critical to overcoming current limitations and expanding its therapeutic role.