A review of drugs in development for the personalized treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma remains a highly morbid and fatal disease, with poor survival rates among patients with advanced and recurrent disease. Recent advances in next generation sequencing, targeted therapeutics, and precision medicine trials are expanding treatment options for head and neck cancers; thus greater awareness of this rapidly evolving field is important. AREAS COVERED: Recent next-generation sequencing studies in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, targeted therapy clinical trials involving head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. EXPERT COMMENTARY: This review discusses the current state of head and neck cancer treatment, and considerations and implications for the incorporation of personalized medicine and targeted therapy for head and neck cancers in a dynamic clinical landscape.