New drug cocktail aims to shrink head and neck tumors before surgery

NCT ID NCT07381075

Not yet recruiting Disease control Sponsor: West China Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests a drug called becotatug vedotin, given alone or with immune-boosting drugs (penpulimab or ivonescimab), before surgery for head and neck cancer. The goal is to see if these treatments can shrink tumors or even make them disappear completely. The study involves 120 people with resectable, locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who have not had prior treatment.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: becotatug vedotin (a drug that targets cancer cells) combined with or without immune checkpoint inhibitors (penpulimab or ivonescimab)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could lead to a new treatment option that shrinks head and neck tumors before surgery, potentially improving outcomes.
What could go wrong: This is an early phase 2 trial with only 120 people, so results may not apply to everyone. The drugs can cause side effects like immune reactions or organ damage.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

head and neck 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 SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.