Light-Activated drug combo takes on recurrent head and neck cancer in major trial
NCT ID NCT06699212
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 3 trial tests whether a new treatment called ASP-1929 photoimmunotherapy (a light-activated drug) combined with the immunotherapy pembrolizumab works better than standard care for people with recurrent head and neck cancer that hasn't spread to other parts of the body. About 412 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the new combination or standard treatment (pembrolizumab alone or with chemotherapy). The main goal is to see if the new combination helps people live longer.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
ASP-1929 photoimmunotherapy (cetuximab sarotalocan) plus pembrolizumab
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a new first-line treatment option for people with recurrent head and neck cancer that hasn't spread, potentially improving survival.
What could go wrong
This is a phase 3 trial, but the combination is experimental. It may not prove better than current treatments, and photoimmunotherapy can cause side effects like pain, swelling, or skin reactions at the treatment site.
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
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Aichi Cancer Center
RECRUITINGAichi, 464-8681, Japan
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Avera Cancer Institute
RECRUITINGSioux Falls, South Dakota, 57105, United States
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Chi Mei Hospital
RECRUITINGTainan, 736402, Taiwan
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China Medical University
RECRUITINGTaichung, 404327, Taiwan
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City of Hope
RECRUITINGDuarte, California, 91010, United States
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Hiroshima University Hospital
RECRUITINGHiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
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Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital
RECRUITINGKaohsiung City, 807377, Taiwan
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Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
RECRUITINGKyoto, 602-8566, Japan
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Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
RECRUITINGTaoyuan City, 333423, Taiwan
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MacKay Memorial Hospital
RECRUITINGTaipei, 104217, Taiwan
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National Taiwan University Hospital
RECRUITINGTaipei, 100225, Taiwan
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Rhode Island Hospital
RECRUITINGProvidence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States
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Taichung Veterans General Hospital
RECRUITINGTaichung, 407219, Taiwan
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Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital
RECRUITINGTaipei, 116081, Taiwan
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Taipei Veterans General Hospital
RECRUITINGTaipei, 112201, Taiwan
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Tampa General Hospital
RECRUITINGTampa, Florida, 33606, United States
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Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center
RECRUITINGPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, United States
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Tokyo Medical University Hospital
RECRUITINGTokyo, 160-0023, Japan
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Tottori University Hospital
RECRUITINGYonago, 683-8504, Japan
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University of Kentucky Medical Center
WITHDRAWNLexington, Kentucky, 40536, United States
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University of Miami
RECRUITINGMiami, Florida, 33136, United States
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University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center
RECRUITINGHouston, Texas, 77030, United States
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