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

NCT ID NCT07632339

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.

Disclaimer Read more

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.

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.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

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

    RECRUITING

    Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200011, China

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••