Prognostic and predictive immune biomarkers in head and neck cancer

Abstract

Prognostic and predictive biomarkers are indispensable on the path towards personalized medicine. Comprehensive insight in tumor cell biology and the interplay between tumor cells and their TME is necessary for implementing biomarkers in clinical practice. With the rise of numerous novel targeted (immuno)therapies, robust biomarkers predicting treatment response are needed more than ever. This thesis has contributed to our knowledge about the use of prognostic and predictive biomarkers in HNSCC with a focus on the TME. We emphasized the importance of the accuracy and reproducibility of methods in tissue-based biomarker research, in which the use of digital image analysis could play an important role. Although the incorporation of biomarkers into clinical decision making remains a major challenge, we provided leads for further research towards more personalized care for HNSCC patients.