Immunotherapy inches forward in head and neck cancer trials
Cancer Center expert featured in Targeted Therapies in Oncology article
The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center's Trisha Wise-Draper was featured in a Targeted Therapies in Oncology article discussing the current state and future of immunotherapy trials to treat head and neck cancer.
Immunotherapy treatments use the body's own immune system to target cancer cells and have become an important option for many types of cancer. But there is more to learn on the best uses of immunotherapy in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
“Outside of the recurrent and metastatic setting, where we have clear indications about when to give immunotherapy, I think it’s still too early to give it in the definitive setting,” said Wise-Draper, MD, PhD, a Cancer Center physician researcher, professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology, section head of medical oncology, co-leader of the Head and neck Experimental Advancement Laboratory in UC's College of Medicine and deputy director of UC's Office of Clinical Research.
“I’d wait until we have a little bit more information, especially with giving immunotherapy before surgery, until we have the results from the clinical trial.”
Read the Targeted Therapies in Oncology article.
Featured photo at top of Wise-Draper, left, and Vinita Takiar in the Head and neck Experimental Advancement Laboratory. Photo/Colleen Kelley/UC Marketing + Brand.
Related Stories
What Is Public Health Nursing? Career path and whether it’s right for you
April 6, 2026
When nurses consider graduate school, many immediately think of becoming a nurse practitioner. But there is another advanced path that is growing in demand, one focused not on treating individual patients, but on improving the health of entire communities: public health nursing.
A day of hoops and fun supports families impacted by homelessness
April 6, 2026
CPS All-Star Showcase returned to UC’s Fifth Third Arena, Saturday, April 4, highligting the partnership between Cincinnati Public Schools and the University of Cincinnati. Local media covered the daylong sports event which showcased some Cincinnati's finest high school athletes. Proceeds from the event benefited Project Connect.
What is the 'cicada' COVID variant?
April 6, 2026
A formerly rare strain of COVID, BA.3.2, now is showing up in Ohio and 24 other states. Experts say so far it hasn't caused illness any more severe than other strains, but it might be somewhat more resistant to vaccines, as 91.7 WVXU News recently reported. Scientists have nicknamed the variant "cicada" due to its former low profile and current resurgence.