The FDA has approved pembrolizumab for patients with resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma expressing PD-L1, marking a significant therapeutic advancement. This approval is based on the KEYNOTE-689 trial led by Dana-Farber and Washington University, showing improved event-free survival and tumor shrinkage. Experts highlight this as the first perioperative checkpoint inhibitor approval, representing a paradigm shift in surgical cancer management.