Abstract
Recently, nivolumab has been approved for use against platinum resistance recurrence or metastasis of head and neck cancer. The advantage of this drug was tested in the checkmate 141 trial （analysis of randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial). Nivolumab showed an increase in overall survival rate compared to other single drugs.
On the other hand, the side effects of this drug are a severe problem, especially on the immune system, such as immune related adverse events （irAEs). For this therapy, oral and maxillofacial surgeons need to collaborate. The most important points are:
1. Consulting with medical oncologists to judge the patient’s condition;
2. Monitoring the general health condition and irAEs with medical oncologists;
3. Consulting with other departments related to specific organs;
4. Understanding the overall state of the patient.
In future, combination therapy （nivolumab and other cytotoxic agents, concurrent or sequential） may shed light on the treatment of advanced head and neck cancers.
