HEAD AND NECK CANCER

This first-in-human study tested a new drug called CUE-101, designed to activate the immune system to fight cancers caused by HPV. It was given to about 80 adults with advanced head and neck cancer, either alone for patients who had already tried other treatments, or combined wit…

This study tested whether a new, advanced robotic surgery system could be used to remove head and neck tumors through the mouth. The goal was to see if this less invasive approach was possible and could help reduce the long-term side effects and impact on quality of life that oft…

This completed Phase 3 trial compared three different drug combinations for people with advanced head and neck cancer that had returned or spread. Researchers tested two newer immunotherapy approaches (pembrolizumab alone and with epacadostat) against a standard chemotherapy comb…

This small pilot study tested a new maskless device designed to keep patients' heads perfectly still during radiation therapy for head and neck cancers or brain tumors. Researchers compared the new device to the standard plastic mask to see if it was just as accurate at preventin…

This study tested a new three-part treatment given before surgery for head and neck cancer. The goal was to see if combining a low dose of radiation with two different cancer drugs was safe and could shrink tumors. Nine patients with operable cancer participated in this early-pha…

This was a first-in-human study to find a safe dose of a new experimental cancer drug called SNB-101. The drug, a nanoparticle form of an existing chemotherapy, was given by IV to 21 patients with advanced solid tumors that had stopped responding to standard treatments. The main …

This early-stage study tested a new drug, CLR 131, designed to deliver radiation directly to cancer cells. It was combined with standard external beam radiation for 12 patients whose head and neck cancer had returned. The main goal was to find a safe dose and see how well the dru…

This study tested whether a three-part treatment approach could reduce side effects and improve outcomes for people with head and neck cancer. Forty patients received chemotherapy first to shrink tumors, followed by minimally invasive surgery, and then radiation/chemotherapy tail…

This study tested whether adding an experimental drug called TJ004309 to an existing immunotherapy (atezolizumab) could help control advanced cancers that have stopped responding to standard treatments. It involved 25 patients with specific types of advanced solid tumors, includi…

This early-stage study tested whether a patient's own immune cells could be genetically modified in a lab to recognize and attack cancer cells, then safely given back to the patient. It involved 10 adults with specific types of bladder, skin (melanoma), or head and neck cancers w…

This study investigated whether restricting daily eating to an 8-10 hour window improves how well immunotherapy works for people with advanced head and neck cancer. It involved 29 patients and did not require calorie restriction, just timing. Researchers also looked at changes in…

This study tested whether adding the drug erlotinib to standard chemotherapy helps control head and neck cancer before surgery. Fifty-five patients with operable oral cavity cancer were randomly assigned to receive either the standard chemo combination plus erlotinib or plus a pl…

This early-stage study tested a new combination of two drugs for people with advanced head and neck cancer that had gotten worse despite previous immunotherapy. The goal was to see if giving an oral drug (decitabine) along with an immune-boosting drug (durvalumab) was safe and co…

This study tested whether combining two existing drugs—pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy) and tadalafil—could be safe and more effective for people with advanced head and neck cancer that has returned or spread. The idea was to boost the body's immune system in two different ways t…

This study tested whether adding a new oral drug called buparlisib to a standard chemotherapy (paclitaxel) could help patients with advanced head and neck cancer live longer. It involved nearly 500 adults whose cancer had returned or spread after trying other modern immunotherapi…

This large, completed study aimed to find the best way to treat throat cancer caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). It compared the standard treatment of radiation plus a chemotherapy drug (cisplatin) against radiation plus a different, targeted drug (cetuximab). The main goa…

This study tested an experimental drug called ozuriftamab vedotin for people with advanced head and neck cancer that had returned or spread. The main goals were to see if the drug could shrink tumors and how safe it was for patients. It included 42 adults whose cancer was not cur…

This study tested a combination treatment to prevent cancer from coming back in patients with high-risk head and neck cancer who had already undergone surgery. It combined radiation therapy, a standard chemotherapy drug (cisplatin), and a newer targeted drug (cetuximab). The main…

This study tested whether combining two existing cancer drugs, pembrolizumab and cetuximab, could help control advanced head and neck cancer that had returned or spread. It involved 78 patients at four US cancer centers, grouped based on their prior treatments. The main goal was …

This study tested whether a precise form of radiation called proton therapy could control head and neck cancer that had come back after previous radiation. It involved 87 adults whose cancer was not suitable for surgery or who chose not to have surgery. The main goals were to see…

This study tested whether adding the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (MK-3475) to standard surgery could better control advanced head and neck cancer. It involved 67 high-risk patients with stage III or IV cancer that could be surgically removed. Researchers aimed to see if the …

This study tested whether adding a new immunotherapy drug (pembrolizumab) to the standard treatment of chemotherapy plus radiation could be safe and more effective for people with locally advanced head and neck cancer. All 59 participants received the combined treatment. The main…

This small, early-stage study tested whether stem cells from donated umbilical cords could safely help people with severe, long-term dry mouth caused by radiation treatment for head and neck cancer. Ten participants received a single injection of these donor cells. Researchers pr…

This study tested a new type of radiation therapy that adapts the treatment plan each day based on the patient's current anatomy. The goal was to better target the cancer while reducing radiation exposure to nearby healthy organs, like the salivary glands, to lessen side effects …

This completed Phase 3 trial tested whether adding an experimental antibody drug (C225) to standard chemotherapy (cisplatin) worked better for people with advanced head and neck cancer that had spread or returned. About 114 patients were randomly assigned to get either the real a…

This study compared two ways of giving oxygen to patients under anesthesia for a common diagnostic procedure for head and neck cancer. Researchers tested a newer, high-flow oxygen system against the standard method to see which one better maintains safe oxygen levels and reduces …

This study tested a new, non-invasive device called an 'artificial nose' designed to detect head and neck cancer by analyzing a person's exhaled breath. Researchers enrolled 45 people, including both cancer patients and healthy volunteers, to see if the device's sensors could tel…

This study tested whether giving patients a special 'immunonutrition' formula before and after surgery could help prevent infections. It involved 311 people with head and neck cancer who were scheduled for surgery. Researchers compared three different nutrition plans to see which…

This early-stage study tested whether a new vaccine called PepCan could safely prevent head and neck cancer from returning in patients who had recently finished treatment and were in remission. Seventeen participants received either the vaccine or a placebo injection over two yea…

This study tested whether watching 360° virtual reality movies could help reduce fear and anxiety in cancer patients about to begin radiation therapy. Researchers enrolled 292 adults with breast, lung, prostate, head and neck cancers, or brain tumors. Patients watched VR movies s…

This study tested two different ways to provide extra care for adults 65 and older with head and neck cancer who were receiving chemotherapy and radiation. The goal was to see if specialized support from geriatric doctors could help manage treatment side effects better and reduce…

This study tested a smartphone app called WeCanManage, designed to help cancer survivors manage long-term disabilities and symptoms after treatment. Twenty survivors of breast, head/neck, or sarcoma cancers tried the app to see if it was easy to use and helpful. The main goal was…

This study tested a new topical gel and mouthwash to see if it could reduce severe mouth sores in people receiving radiation for head and neck cancer. It also looked at whether using the products could improve patients' long-term quality of life after treatment ended. The trial i…

This study tested if adding a special pressure-sensing device to standard neck exercises could help patients recover better after head and neck cancer surgery. Fifty adults who had surgery and were experiencing neck pain and stiffness were split into two groups. One group used th…

This study looked at whether adding medical cannabis to standard supportive care helps head and neck cancer patients better tolerate the difficult side effects of combined chemotherapy and radiation. Researchers observed 30 patients who were already certified to use medical canna…

This study tested whether acupuncture could help relieve severe, long-term dry mouth caused by radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. 258 patients who had finished radiation at least a year prior were randomly assigned to receive either real acupuncture, fake (sham) acupunct…

This small pilot study tested whether a mobile app called Oleena could help people with head and neck cancer manage common and distressing symptoms during chemoradiation treatment. The study checked if patients and their healthcare providers found the app easy to use and helpful …

This study tested whether a home exercise program could help people with head and neck cancer manage side effects during their radiotherapy treatment. It involved 24 patients who had surgery and were scheduled for curative radiotherapy. Researchers wanted to see if exercises coul…

This study compared two different hands-on physical therapy techniques to help people who developed jaw pain, tightness, and limited mouth opening after radiation treatment for head and neck cancer. It involved 115 adult survivors who were at least 6 months past their radiation t…

This study followed 385 people newly diagnosed with lung or head/neck cancer to understand how many continue using tobacco and alcohol during their first year of treatment. Researchers tracked patients' substance use patterns to identify factors that make quitting difficult. The …

This study tested a new type of CT scanner used during radiation therapy to see if it could produce clearer images. It involved 41 adults receiving radiation for cancers in areas like the head, neck, lung, breast, abdomen, or pelvis. The goal was to see if the improved images cou…

This study aimed to better understand head and neck cancer by watching how it uses sugar. Researchers used a first-of-its-kind full-body PET scanner to track a radioactive sugar tracer in 7 adult patients before and after their radiation therapy. The goal was to gather detailed i…

This study aimed to understand how a common chemotherapy drug, 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), affects small blood vessels, which may explain its known link to heart problems. Researchers compared blood flow in the skin of 62 people across four groups: current 5-FU patients, patients on o…

This study aimed to understand the connection between neck muscle endurance and swallowing difficulties in people treated for head and neck cancer. Researchers measured 28 patients' neck strength, breathing function, and swallowing ability. The goal was to gather new information …

This study tested whether a tiny monitoring tube could be safely placed directly into a piece of transplanted bone to check its health. It involved 34 patients who had facial reconstruction surgery after head/neck cancer or trauma. The goal was to see if this method could give do…

This study tested whether a special imaging tool called OCT could detect very early skin damage from radiation therapy before it becomes visible or causes symptoms. Researchers followed 30 head and neck cancer patients, scanning their skin before, during, and after treatment. The…