Role of Immune Activation in Response of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma to Therapy

This is a study of the immune response in patients with oropharyngeal cancer who undergo treatment with radiation, chemoradiation, or robotic surgery. Many oropharyngeal cancers are caused by infection with the human Papillomavirus (HPV), and patients with HPV-mediated tumors have much better prognosis and treatment response compared to patients with HPV-negative tumors. The investigators will test the hypothesis that radiation-based therapy of oropharyngeal cancer is associated with activation of the endogenous HPV-specific immune response. In this study the investigators will collect blood at several time points before, during, and after treatment to monitor the immune response in patients with tumors positive and negative for HPV versus normal healthy volunteers.

Inclusion criteria

• The patient has biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinoma, Stage II-IV, of the oropharynx or larynx.
• The patient is to undergo treatment with radiation, chemo-radiation, or robotic surgery.
• The patient is able to give informed consent.
• The patient is at least 18 years old.
• The patient's ECOG performance status is </=2.

Exclusion criteria

• The patient has had prior head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, with the exception of superficial cutaneous basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas.
• The patient has active cancer in another part of the body, with the exception of superficial cutaneous basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas.
• If a cancer survivor, the disease free interval is less than 5 years, with the exception of superficial cutaneous basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas.
• The patient is a minor.
• The patient is pregnant.
• The patient is a prisoner.
• The patient is incapable of understanding the consent process.
• The patient has previously received definitive surgical, radiation, or chemoradiation treatment for HNSCC.
• The patient has a history of HIV or other known cause of immunosuppression, or is actively taking immunosuppressive medications due to organ transplantation, rheumatoid disease, or other medical conditions.