A revolutionary immunotherapy drug has doubled survival time for patients battling advanced head and neck cancer, marking the most significant breakthrough in treatment for the disease in over 20 years.
In findings unveiled at the prestigious American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference, the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab—already used in certain cancers—was shown to extend remission periods from 2.5 years to five years on average when used before and after surgery.
“This research shows that immunotherapy could change the world for these patients,” said Professor Kevin Harrington, lead UK researcher from the Institute of Cancer Research in London. “It significantly decreases the chance of cancer spreading around the body, at which point it is incredibly difficult to treat.”
The international clinical trial, known as KEYNOTE-689, enrolled 714 patients across 192 hospitals in 24 countries. Participants either received the standard of care—surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy—or the same treatment with the addition of pembrolizumab before and after surgery.
The results were striking. In addition to doubling the disease-free period, pembrolizumab reduced the risk of cancer spreading elsewhere in the body by 10% after three years. It was particularly effective in patients with high levels of the immune marker PD-L1, but researchers found benefits across the board.
Laura Marston’s testimony
For Laura Marston, 45, from Derbyshire, the drug proved life-saving. Diagnosed with stage 4 tongue cancer in 2019 and given just a 30% chance of surviving five years, she joined the trial after being told she faced major surgery and a grueling recovery.
“I’m amazed I’m still here,” Marston said. “Just having this amazing immunotherapy has given me my life back again. I wasn’t expected to come this far.”
Her treatment included surgery to remove her tongue and neck lymph nodes, reconstruction using muscle from her arm, and a long recovery learning to speak and eat again. Now working full-time, she says, “It’s been phenomenal for me, because I’m here, able to talk to you.”
According to Dr. Douglas Adkins, co-principal investigator from Washington University School of Medicine—the institution leading the trial—the results are “significant and notable” as it’s the first time such a drug has delivered this level of effectiveness for newly diagnosed patients.
Immunotherapy works by stimulating the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Pembrolizumab specifically targets PD-1, a protein that allows cancer cells to evade immune detection.
Prof Kristian Helin, Chief Executive of the Institute of Cancer Research, described the development as “wonderful,” adding: “To learn that patients with immunotherapy added to their treatment plan had, on average, double the length of time free from disease is remarkable.”
Cancer Research UK’s Dr. Lyndsy Ambler echoed this, noting that nearly 13,300 people in the UK are diagnosed with head and neck cancer each year, with over 4,100 deaths—averaging 11 lives lost daily.
With results now in hand, experts are urging for pembrolizumab to be made available through the NHS, potentially transforming the outlook for thousands of patients annually.
“This is the first real step forward in two decades,” Prof Harrington concluded. “And for patients like Laura, it’s more than progress—it’s the gift of life.”
