T1 Mapping for Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Motivation: Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are at high risk for recurrence and metastasis; however, predicting patients who will be sensitive to immunotherapy can be difficult. Goal(s): We aimed to determine whether T1 mapping could help in selecting patients and predicting immunotherapeutic efficacy for patients with HNSCC. Approach: We retrospectively analyzed the results from HNSCC patients who underwent pretreatment T1 mapping. PD-L1 expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Patients who received immunotherapy were then classified as responders or non-responders. Results: T1 values showed predictive value for prediction of PD-L1expression and assessing response to immunotherapy in HNSCC. Impact: T1 mapping can help to guide treatment decisions in the context of immunotherapy in HNSCC.