Double drug attack shows promise against tough head and neck cancers
NCT ID NCT02979977
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 2 trial tested a combination of two targeted drugs, afatinib and cetuximab, in 50 patients with advanced head and neck cancer that had spread or come back. All participants had already tried standard treatments like chemotherapy or immunotherapy. The main goal was to see if the drug combo could shrink tumors. Researchers also tracked how long patients lived without the cancer getting worse.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
afatinib and cetuximab
What this could lead to
If successful, this combination could offer a new treatment option for patients with advanced head and neck cancer who have already tried standard therapies.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase trial with only 50 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The drug combination may cause significant side effects and may not shrink tumors in all patients.
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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Locations
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Yale Cancer Center
New Haven, Connecticut, 06520-8028, United States