New drug cocktail aims to boost head and neck cancer treatment before and after surgery

NCT ID NCT07707167

First seen Jul 16, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether giving a combination of two drugs (becotatug vedotin and putlimab) before surgery, followed by radiotherapy and more putlimab after surgery, can improve outcomes for people with locally advanced head and neck cancer. The trial enrolls about 35 participants whose cancer can be surgically removed. The goal is to see how well the cancer responds to this treatment plan and to monitor any side effects.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
a combination of an experimental antibody-drug conjugate (becotatug vedotin) and an immunotherapy drug (putlimab), plus radiotherapy
What this could lead to
If successful, this approach could become a new standard perioperative treatment for locally advanced head and neck cancer, potentially improving survival and reducing the chance of cancer returning.
What could go wrong
This is an early-phase exploratory study with only 35 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. The combination may cause significant side effects, and the added benefit over existing treatments is not yet proven.

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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

Study contacts

  • Contact

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

Locations

  • Jiangsu Cancer Hospital

    Nanjing, China