Authors' recommendations: Head and neck cancer is a rare type of cancer. There are over 30 areas in the head and neck where the cancer can develop, for example, the mouth, nose, sinuses, and throat. Tobacco smoking and alcohol are known to increase the risk of developing head and neck cancer. Most patients are not diagnosed until the cancer has already spread and is difficult to treat. Pembrolizumab is a new drug for the treatment of head and neck cancer which is delivered straight into the bloodstream via a drip. Studies are currently underway to see how well it works and whether it is safe to use in patients with the condition. If pembrolizumab is licensed for use in the UK, it could offer a new treatment option for patients with head and neck cancer that may help improve survival when current treatments have not worked.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2016

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/topics/pembrolizumab-keytruda-for-platinum-resistant-recurrent-or-metastatic-head-and-neck-cancer/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: NIHR Horizon Scanning Research&Intelligence Centre (NIHR HSRIC)