danvatirsen + pembrolizumab

Danvatirsen + pembrolizumab is an investigational combination therapy being evaluated primarily for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). **Danvatirsen** is a 16-nucleotide, generation 2.5 antisense oligonucleotide designed to down-regulate the expression of human signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mRNA, thereby reducing tumor-promoting and immune-suppressive effects of STAT3. **Pembrolizumab** is a monoclonal antibody immune checkpoint inhibitor targeting PD-1, approved for multiple cancers including HNSCC, and enhances the immune system's antitumor activity. The rationale for the combination is that STAT3 inhibition may potentiate the response to immune checkpoint blockade. The combination is currently in phase II clinical testing for first-line treatment of recurrent/metastatic HNSCC with PD-L1 expression[1][2][3][5].