The pace of discovery in head and neck oncology has significantly accelerated in the past decade with new indications for multiple therapies, advances in surgical management, and novel tools for surveillance. To this end, 2026 NextGen H&N will host speakers from around the country, including those very investigators who are leading these changes, to present current data to support new treatments. We will focus on novel, innovative approaches that have translated into clinical practice. In 2026, the meeting will present emerging developments in perioperative immunotherapy for mucosal head and neck cancer, circulating tumor DNA, and de-intensification strategies for HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer. The educational format will include clinical trial highlight segments, debate-focused panel discussions, and a novel clinical trial concept session. Attendees can expect a single day of high impact presentations from dynamic speakers, discussion on the direction of our multidisciplinary field, and promotion of collaboration to enhance patient care.
Session Educational Objectives
- Optimize decision making for incorporating perioperative immunotherapy into clinical practice.
- Integrate clinical applications of ctDNA in head and neck cancer, including testing intervals.
- Recognize the strengths and limitations of current de-intensification strategies for HPV-positive head and neck cancer and consider how these principles may be integrated into practice.
Target Audience: Head and neck medical, radiation, and surgical oncologists; clinical and translational researchers; trainees including residents and fellows; pharmacists; advanced practice providers involved in head and neck oncology; as well as industry medical liaisons and collaborators.
The Course Co-Directors are Michael Topf, MD, MSCI; Eben Rosenthal, MD; and Glenn Hanna, MD.
Course Faculty to be updated soon.
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Saturday, Nov. 7
Session I: Perioperative Immunotherapy Approaches in Mucosal Head and Neck Cancer
8–8:20 a.m. Evolving Pathologic Response Assessment: AI and the Future German Corredor Prada, MD 8:20–8:40 a.m. Adaptive Surgery Following Neoadjuvant Therapy Adam Luginbuhl, MD 8:40–9 a.m. Emerging Biomarkers and Correlatives in Perioperative HNSCC Treated with Immunotherapy Luana Sousa, MD 9–9:10 a.m. Trial Highlight: SHRINK‑RAY – Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab + SBRT with Risk‑Adapted Adjuvant Therapy avid Schwartz, MD 9:10–9:20 a.m. Trial Highlight: TBD 9:20–10 a.m. Panel Debate: Neoadjuvant vs. Adjuvant Immunotherapy Christine Chung, MD 10-10:30 a.m. Coffee Break & Networking Session II: Circulating Tumor DNA in Mucosal Head and Neck Cancer
10:30–10:50 a.m. HPV‑ DNA Detection in Drain Fluid Kevin Contrera, MD 10:50–11:10 a.m. HPV‑Positive ctDNA Tools Cate Haring, MD 11:10–11:30 a.m. HPV‑Agnostic ctDNA Tools Glenn J. Hanna, MD 11:30 a.m.–12 p.m. Topic Debate: Adopting ctDNA into Clinical Practice Now 12–1 p.m. Lunch Session III: Clinical Trials Pitch & Planning Forum
1–1:20 p.m. Clinical Trial Concept (1) 10‑minute schema presentation
/ 10‑minute group feedback1:20–1:40 p.m. Clinical Trial Concept (2) 10‑minute schema presentation
/ 10‑minute group feedback1:40–2 p.m. Clinical Trial Concept (3) 10‑minute schema presentation
/ 10‑minute group feedbackSession IV: The Current Landscape of HPV‑Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer De‑Intensification
2–2:20 p.m. Elective Nodal Irradiation Quynh Le, MD 2:20–2:40 p.m. Neoadjuvant NIRT Bryan Bell, MD 2:40–3 p.m. New and Emerging Targeted Therapies for HPV De‑Intensification Nadeem Riaz, MD 3–3:10 p.m. Trial Highlight: ctDNA‑Based De‑Intensification Following TORS James Bates, MD 3:10–3:20 p.m. Trial Highlight: FDG‑PET‑Based Selective De‑Escalation of Chemoradiation in HPV‑Related OPSCC Michelle Mierzwa, MD 3:20–3:30 p.m. Trial Highlight: REACT John Schoenfeld, MD 3:30–4 p.m. Topic Debate: Where Does HPV‑Associated De‑Intensification Go 4–6 p.m. Adjournment & Networking Cocktail Hour