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.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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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
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Yale University
RECRUITINGNew Haven, Connecticut, 06511, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
Contact Email: •••••@•••••