Driving progress in recurrent and metastatic head and neck cancer: the NRG Oncology perspective

Head and neck cancers represent a diverse group of malignancies with substantial heterogeneity in biology and prognosis for which management of advanced-stage disease remains a formidable challenge. Although the incorporation of immune checkpoint inhibitors has led the way to a new era of treatment possibilities, the current state of the science calls for further innovation and a nuanced approach to clinical trial design to address several unmet needs. This article from the NRG Oncology Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Working Group aimed to critically identify gaps in clinical practice and the scientific literature and to propose actionable recommendations for future research in the framework of recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.