Masarwy R, Kampel L, Horowitz G, et al. - Findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis showed good tolerability of neoadjuvant anti–programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) immunotherapy for resectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Besides, this therapy in HNSCC may offer therapeutic benefits implied by histopathological response. Long-term results are awaited.

• Relevant published and ongoing cohort studies and randomized clinical trials were identified from electronic databases.

• Overall 344 patients from 10 studies were analyzed.

• In studies that reported on neoadjuvant immunotherapy only, the overall major pathological response rate in the primary tumor sites and pathological complete response rate were 9.7% and 2.9%, respectively.

• Preoperative grade 3 to 4 treatment-related adverse events were documented at a rate of 8.4% and surgical delay at a rate of 0%.

• Neoadjuvant immunotherapy was favorably associated with all outcome measures.

• In subgroup analyses, no one specific anti–PD-1/PD-L1 agent was superior to another, and the favorable link was shown by either immunotherapy alone or in combination with anti–CTLA-4.