Could a simple antibiotic course fight oral cancer from the inside?

NCT ID NCT06627270

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Case Comprehensive Cancer Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This study is testing whether taking the antibiotic metronidazole and using a chlorhexidine mouth rinse for 10 days before surgery can lower the amount of bacteria living inside oral cancer tumors. The researchers will compare bacteria levels before and after treatment in 30 adults with oral squamous cell carcinoma. The goal is to see if reducing tumor bacteria might help improve long-term outcomes like survival.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: metronidazole and chlorhexidine mouth rinse
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a way to improve outcomes for oral cancer patients by reducing tumor bacteria before surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase study with only 30 people, so results may not apply widely. The antibiotics may not reduce bacteria enough to affect survival, and side effects like allergic reactions are possible.

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.

head and neck cancer head and neck carcinoma Head and Neck Neoplasms lip and oral cavity carcinoma Mouth Neoplasms oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

HEAD AND NECK CANCER HEAD AND NECK CARCINOMA ORAL CANCER ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation
RECRUITING

Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States

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