Could a Chemo-Immuno combo boost cancer fight before surgery?
NCT ID NCT05317000
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 2 trial tests whether combining the chemotherapy 5-azacytidine with the immunotherapy nivolumab can make HPV-related head and neck cancer more responsive to treatment. About 50 people with resectable tumors will receive one or both drugs before surgery. The goal is to see if the combination increases immune activity and tumor shrinkage compared to either drug alone.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- 5-azacytidine (Vidaza) and nivolumab (Opdivo)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a more effective pre-surgery treatment for HPV-related head and neck cancer, potentially improving outcomes.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 50 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The drugs are experimental in this combination and may cause side effects or fail to improve response.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Yale University
RECRUITINGNew Haven, Connecticut, 06511, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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