This review by Jethwa et al. summarizes the role of tobacco products in the development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and the negative effects of tobacco use on cancer treatment. Jethwa AR, Khariwala SS. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2017. doi:10.1007/s10555-017-9689-6

Eze et al. review p16 overexpression as a surrogate biomarker in human papillomavirus-associated head and neck cancer and plasma Epstein Barr virus DNA as a biomarker in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Eze N, Lo YC & Burtness B. Cancers Head Neck 2017; 2: 6. doi: 10.1186/s41199-017-0025-1

This review article by Wang et al. summarizes recent developments in the use of mTOR inhibitors and immune oncology agents as a combination precision therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Wang Z, Callejas Valera J, Zhao X, Chen Q & Gutkind JS. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2017; 36: 491-502. doi:10.1007/s10555-017-9688-7

Bellairs JA, Hasina R, Agrawal N. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2017; 36: 515–523. doi: 10.1007/s10555-017-9685-x

In this review, Bellairs et al. discuss the application of circulating tumor DNA as a promising biomarker in diagnosis and disease monitoring of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Bellairs JA, Hasina R, Agrawal N. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2017. doi:10.1007/s10555-017-9685-x

Studies have suggested potential synergy between high dose per fraction focal radiation and immunotherapy. The results here demonstrate that fractionated chemoradiation leads to quantifiable effects in circulating immune mediators. Summary points Circulating immunologic factors were prospectively evaluated in a group of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) undergoing definitive radiation therapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy to characterize the systemic effects of treatment. Treatment not only increased circulating CD8+ T-effector cells, but also myeloid-derived suppressor cells, regulatory T cells, and checkpoint receptor-expressing T cells, particularly programmed death 1-positive T cells. Significant decreases in the chemokine CXCL10 and increases in CXLC16 were also noted. Increased CXCL10 levels have been associated with worse cancer-specific outcomes whereas increases in CXCL16 have been shown to attract tumor-infiltrating T cells or natural killer cell cells. T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing and seromic analyses also suggested that radiation promotes antitumor immunity and that chemoradiation can potentially enrich the proportion of top TCR clones in select patients. However, evidence for inhibitory effects that may limit the immune-stimulating effects of chemoradiation was observed. The findings suggest that radiation-induced effects on the local tumor microenvironment in patients with HNSCC may translate into quantifiable immune effects in circulating immune mediators, TCR repertoires, and potential anti-tumor antibody responses. Sridharan​​​​​​​ V et al.  Br J Cancer 2016; 115: 252–260. doi:10.1038/bjc.2016.166

In this retrospective analysis, Tonorezos et al. report the outcomes of real-world thyroid cancer screening using a physical exam among survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Adult Long-Term Follow-Up clinic. Tonorezos ES et al. J Cancer Surviv 2017; 11: 302–308. doi:10.1007/s11764-016-0588-6

This review summarizes and highlights potential therapeutic opportunities in human papillomavirus (HPV-) and HPV+ head and neck squamous cell carcinoma based on the analysis of high throughput data published by The Cancer Genome Atlas network and others. Beck TN & Golemis EA. Cancers Head Neck 2016;1:1. doi:10.1186/s41199-016-0003-z

An overview of the current status and development of personalized therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Aung KL & Siu LL. Cancers Head Neck 2016;1:2. doi:10.1186/s41199-016-0004-y

This review summarizes psychosocial factors affecting patients with head and neck cancer, and identifies clinical interventions for prevention, identification and treatment of psychiatric comorbidity. Smith JD, Shuman AG, Riba MB. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2017. doi:10.1007/s11920-017-0811-9

This chapter discusses the staging of mucosal and extramucosal epithelial malignant disease of the head and neck, with the exception of mucosal melanoma and thyroid malignancies. Huellner MW & Sekine T. In:  Diseases of the Brain, Head and Neck, Spine 2016-2019 . Edited by Hodler J, Kubik-Huch RA, & von Schilthess GK. Springer International Publishing, 2016. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-30081-8_29