Treatment-Related Adverse Events and Health-Related Quality of Life Associated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment for Mucosal Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Scoping Review - Report - MDSpire

Adverse Events Related to Treatment and Quality of Life Outcomes in Patients with Mucosal Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy: A Scoping Review

  • By

  • N. D. O'Donnell

  • E. C. Ward

  • L. R. Wishart

  • R. Perera

  • C. Barrett

  • K. A. Edmiston

  • E. Mitchell

  • A. Pigott

  • R. Pitt

  • K. Russell

  • B. A. Chan

  • R. Ladwa

  • June 1, 2026

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Clinical Report: Adverse Events Related to Treatment in HNSCC Patients

Overview

This scoping review evaluates treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) in patients with mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Background

The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has transformed the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), particularly in recurrent or metastatic cases. While ICIs are generally considered less toxic than traditional therapies, TRAEs remain common.

Data Highlights

No numerical data or trial data was provided in the source material.

Key Findings

  • 62.07% incidence of any-grade TRAEs reported in patients receiving ICIs for R/M HNSCC.
  • 13.82% incidence of severe Grade 3–4 TRAEs among the same population.
  • Common TRAEs include rash, itching, and fatigue.
  • TRAEs can occur during or post-treatment and vary widely in severity and organ system involvement.
  • Existing morbidity from previous therapies may exacerbate the impact of new TRAEs.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should monitor for both common and severe adverse events in patients receiving ICIs for HNSCC.

Conclusion

This review highlights the importance of understanding TRAEs in patients with HNSCC undergoing ICI therapy.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Frontiers in Oncology, 2026 -- Efficacy and Safety of Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Outcomes and Survival Benefits
  2. The ASCO Post, 2020 -- Multisystem Immune-Related Adverse Events and Disease Outcomes Among Patients With NSCLC Treated With Immunotherapy
  3. Frontiers in Immunology, 2026 -- Life-threatening multiorgan immune-related toxicities complicated by sepsis after anti-PD-1 therapy with complete tumor regression: a case report and literature review
  4. Immunotherapy and Biomarker Testing in Recurrent and Metastatic Head and Neck Cancers: ASCO Guideline | Journal of Clinical Oncology
  5. PubMed -- Pembrolizumab alone or with chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Health-related quality-of-life results from KEYNOTE-048
  6. conexiant — Chemoimmunotherapy Linked to HNSCC Response
  7. ASCO Guideline on Immunotherapy and Biomarker Testing
  8. Evaluating the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors in HNSCC
  9. Pembrolizumab alone or with chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Health-related quality-of-life results from KEYNOTE-048 - PubMed

Original Source(s)

Treatment-Related Adverse Events and Health-Related Quality of Life Associated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment for Mucosal Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Scoping Review

  • by N. D. O'Donnell, E. C. Ward, L. R. Wishart, R. Perera, C. Barrett, K. A. Edmiston, E. Mitchell, A. Pigott, R. Pitt, K. Russell, B. A. Chan, R. Ladwa

  • June 1, 2026

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