What is immunotherapy and how does it work?
Immunotherapy is a newer type of cancer treatment that helps your own immune system recognise and attack cancer.
How it works
Cancer cells are able to hide from the immune system and grow within the body. Immunotherapy drugs (most commonly immune checkpoint inhibitors) help by allowing your immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells.
How it is given
Usually as an intravenous infusion every 3–6 weeks. Treatment can continue for months or up to 2 years in some cases.
When immunotherapy is used in head and neck cancer
Immunotherapy may be used to treat people with advanced or metastatic cancer to control disease, symptoms and prolong life. A small number of patients may achieve long-term cancer control with immunotherapy.
Side effects
Immunotherapy side effects are different from chemotherapy. Often these drugs are well tolerated, but side effects can still potentially be serious. These side effects relate to the immune system becoming overactive, which can affect healthy tissues in the body. Some of the more common potential side effects include skin rash, diarrhoea, cough/shortness of breath, hormone gland issues.
Immunotherapy in New Zealand
In New Zealand, access to cancer medicines is decided by Pharmac. Since October 2024, Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) has been publicly funded for people with advanced head and neck cancer (squamous cell carcinoma).
There are Pharmac Special Authority criteria which need to be met to determine eligibility for this treatment.
- Patients have recurrent or metastatic (advanced) head and neck mucosal squamous cell cancer which cannot be cured with surgery or radiotherapy
- Have not had prior systemic treatment for advanced disease
- May be given with or without chemotherapy
- Have a cancer with PD-L1 positivity (CPS ≥1), a test run in the laboratory on tumour tissue
- Be reasonably fit (good performance status)
- Be treated by a relevant specialist (a Medical Oncologist)
Immunotherapy is potentially useful in other circumstances, but not publicly funded in New Zealand to treat head and neck cancer in the following circumstances:
- Earlier stage head and neck cancer
- Certain tumour types (Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, Nasopharyngeal or Salivary gland cancer)
In these situations, options may include:
- Clinical trials
- Self-funding (private payment)
- Health insurance (if covered)
Immunotherapy is a newer option that can improve outcomes for some people, especially those with advanced disease.