Initial Indication: Head & Neck Cancer (HNC)

Growing market with significant unmet needs

Key HNC Statistics

Profiled as of July 2026

Sentrimed has prioritized Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) as an initial indication for MASL due to the strong fit with the mechanism and attributes of MASL.  The global HNC therapy market has been estimated at $ 2.8 billion in 2026 and is projected to increase by 12% annually to $ 6.3 billion by 20337. In the U.S., more than 548,000 individuals are living with HNC, with more than 72,000 new cases and 17,000 deaths annually. It is estimated that ~50% of individuals with a diagnosis of HNC will experience recurrence, primarily in the first 18 to 24 months leading to very poor outcomes. Surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy are the standard of care treatments.  Surgery and radiation can be disfiguring and have a significant impact on patients’ quality of life.  There are very few approved therapeutic options for HNC, and most have concerning warnings and precautions, and require injections or intravenous dosing.

The Problem:

Head & Neck Cancer Moves Faster Than Care Can Respond

Head & Neck Cancer Moves Faster Than Care Can Respond

Sources:

    1. SEER*Explorer: SEER*Explorer: An interactive website for SEER cancer statistics [Internet]. Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute; 2023 Apr 19. [updated: 2023 Nov 16; cited 2024 Jan 18]
    2. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/oralcav.html; https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/laryn.html;
    3. SEER*Explorer: An interactive website for SEER cancer statistics [Internet]. Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute; 2025 Apr 16. [updated: 2026 Jan 8; cited 2026 Apr 6]. Available from: https://seer.cancer.gov/statistics-network/explorer/. Data source(s): SEER Incidence Data, November 2024 Submission (1975-2022), SEER 21 registries; Eckel 2019; Khalil 2025 ( Weighted Average).
    4. Oral Cavity and Pharynx Cancer — Cancer Stat Facts; Laryngeal Cancer — Cancer Stat Facts
    5. Belfiore MP, et al. Recurrent Versus Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer: An Evolving Landscape and the Role of Immunotherapy. 2024;12(9):2080. DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12092080
    6. 2016 Montiero; 2014 Wakisaka; 2012 Wu, 202 Volker; 2017 Ibrahim; 2020 Wolber (weighted average calculation)
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      5. Ibrahim, Badawia Bayoumy et al. “Expression of Podoplanin in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Dysplasia.” Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR vol. 11,5 (2017): EC31-EC35. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2017/25939.9882
      6. Wolber P, Schwarz D, Niemczyk M, Drebber U, Klußmann JP, Meyer M. Expression of podoplanin correlates with prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2020 Apr;277(4):1185-1190. doi: 10.1007/s00405-020-05785-3. Epub 2020 Jan 18. PMID: 31955212.
    7. Grandview Research; Head And Neck Cancer Therapeutics Market Report, 2026-2033