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 Nabil Saba, MD.
CME Accreditation
The NextGen Head & Neck Cancer Meeting taking place November 7th in Nashville, TN is approved by the VUMC Office for Continuous Professional Development, Division of CME for a maximum of 7.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.
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 – Emory University 8:20–8:40 a.m. Adaptive Surgery Following Neoadjuvant Therapy Adam Luginbuhl, MD – Thomas Jefferson University Hospital 8:40–9 a.m. Emerging Biomarkers and Correlatives in Perioperative HNSCC Treated with Immunotherapy Luana Sousa, MD – UT MD Anderson 9–9:10 a.m. Clinical Trial Highlight: SHRINK RAY (Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab + SBRT) David Schwartz, MD – UTHSC 9:10–9:20 a.m. Clinical Trial Highlight: Phase II Cetuximab/Cemiplimab Study Christine Chung, MD – Moffitt Cancer Center 9:20–10 a.m. Panel Debate: Neoadjuvant vs. Adjuvant Immunotherapy Faculty Panel Networking & Refreshment Break
10:00 – 10:30 AM
Session II: Circulating Tumor DNA in Mucosal Head and Neck Cancer
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Session Learning Objectives:
- Explain current ctDNA platforms and their clinical applications.
- Assess the readiness of ctDNA testing for routine clinical implementation.
10:30–10:50 a.m. HPV‑ DNA Detection in Drain Fluid Kevin Contrera, MD – UPMC 10:50–11:10 a.m. HPV‑Positive ctDNA Tools Cate Haring, MD – The Ohio State University 11:10–11:30 a.m. HPV‑Agnostic ctDNA Tools Nishat Agarwal, MD – University of Chicago Medicine 11:30 a.m.–12 p.m. Topic Debate: Adopting ctDNA into Clinical Practice Now Faculty Panel Lunch
12:00 – 12:55 PM
Session III: Clinical Trials Pitch & Planning Forum
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Session Learning Objectives:
- Identify key elements of a feasible and impactful clinical trial design.
- Provide constructive peer feedback on proposed clinical trial concepts.
Time Activity 1–1:20 p.m. Clinical Trial Concept Presentation (10 min) + Group Feedback (10 min) 1:20–1:40 p.m. Clinical Trial Concept Presentation (10 min) + Group Feedback (10 min) 1:40–2 p.m. Clinical Trial Concept Presentation (10 min) + Group Feedback (10 min) Session IV: The Current Landscape of HPV‑Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer De‑Intensification
2:00 – 4:00 PM
Session Learning Objectives:
- Compare radiation, surgical, and systemic de intensification approaches.
- Interpret emerging trial data to inform patient selection and shared decision making.
2–2:20 p.m. Elective Nodal Irradiation Quynh Le, MD – Stanford University 2:20–2:40 p.m. Neoadjuvant NIRT Bryan Bell, MD – Providence 2:40–3 p.m. Emerging Targeted Therapies for HPV De Intensification Nadeem Riaz, MD – MSKCC 3–3:10 p.m. Clinical Trial Highlight: ctDNA Based De Intensification After TORS Kyle Mannion, MD – Vanderbilt Health 3:10–3:20 p.m. Clinical Trial Highlight: FDG PET Based Selective De Escalation (Phase II) Michelle Mierzwa, MD – University of Michigan 3:20–3:30 p.m. Clinical Trial Highlight: REACT John Schoenfeld, MD – Dana Farber 3:30–4 p.m. Topic Debate: The Future of HPV Associated De Intensification Faculty Panel Adjournment & Networking Reception
4:00 – 6:00 PM