New drug cocktail aims to stop head and neck cancer from coming back

NCT ID NCT07632339

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This Phase II trial tests whether giving a combination of two drugs—Becotatug Vedotin (a targeted chemotherapy) and Pucotenlimab (an immunotherapy)—before and after surgery can improve outcomes for people with recurrent head and neck cancer that can still be removed. About 102 participants will either receive the drug combo then surgery, or surgery alone followed by standard care. The main goal is to see if the combo helps patients live longer without the cancer returning.

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 targeted chemotherapy) combined with Pucotenlimab (an immunotherapy)
What this could lead to: If successful, this combination could become a new standard approach to shrink tumors before surgery and reduce the chance of cancer returning in patients with recurrent head and neck cancer.
What could go wrong: This is a Phase II trial with only 102 participants, so results are preliminary. The combination may cause significant side effects, and not all patients may benefit—some might still need standard treatment after surgery.

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 Neoplasms head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

HEAD AND NECK CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

the Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
RECRUITING

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200011, China

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