Experimental drug combo aims to fight returning head and neck tumors

NCT ID NCT03803774

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI) Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 04, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This early-phase trial tests a drug called birinapant together with a second course of targeted radiation for people whose head and neck cancer has come back in the same area. The drug works by blocking a protein that helps cancer cells survive. The main goals are to find the safest dose and to see what side effects occur. Only 13 people took part, so results are very preliminary.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Birinapant (a drug that blocks a protein cancer cells need to survive)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new treatment option for people whose head and neck cancer has come back after prior radiation.
What could go wrong: This is a very early (Phase 1) trial with only 13 people, so it is mainly about safety and dosing. The combination may cause serious side effects, and it is too soon to know if it will actually control the cancer.

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 squamous cell carcinoma nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma non-keratinizing sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

LOCALLY RECURRENT HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA NASOPHARYNGEAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA SINONASAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

HaysMed

Hays, Kansas, 67601, United States
Huntsman Cancer Institute/University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, United States
Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone

New York, New York, 10016, United States
Lawrence Memorial Hospital

Lawrence, Kansas, 66044, United States
Los Angeles General Medical Center

Los Angeles, California, 90033, United States
Mercy Hospital Pittsburg

Pittsburg, Kansas, 66762, United States
Moffitt Cancer Center

Tampa, Florida, 33612, United States
Moffitt Cancer Center - McKinley Campus

Tampa, Florida, 33612, United States
Moffitt Cancer Center-International Plaza

Tampa, Florida, 33607, United States
NCI - Center for Cancer Research

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island

Mineola, New York, 11501, United States
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States
Salina Regional Health Center

Salina, Kansas, 67401, United States
The University of Kansas Cancer Center - Olathe

Olathe, Kansas, 66061, United States
UC Irvine Health/Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center

Orange, California, 92868, United States
UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at Coral Gables

Coral Gables, Florida, 33146, United States
UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at Deerfield Beach

Deerfield Beach, Florida, 33442, United States
UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at Plantation

Plantation, Florida, 33324, United States
USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

Los Angeles, California, 90033, United States
University Health Truman Medical Center

Kansas City, Missouri, 64108, United States
University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Center

Birmingham, Alabama, 35233, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center

Kansas City, Kansas, 66160, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center - Lee's Summit

Lee's Summit, Missouri, 64064, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center - North

Kansas City, Missouri, 64154, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center at North Kansas City Hospital

North Kansas City, Missouri, 64116, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center-Overland Park

Overland Park, Kansas, 66210, United States
University of Kansas Clinical Research Center

Fairway, Kansas, 66205, United States
University of Kansas Health System Saint Francis Campus

Topeka, Kansas, 66606, United States
University of Kansas Hospital-Westwood Cancer Center

Westwood, Kansas, 66205, United States
University of Kentucky/Markey Cancer Center

Lexington, Kentucky, 40536, United States
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine-Sylvester Cancer Center

Miami, Florida, 33136, United States
Wake Forest Baptist Health - Wilkes Medical Center

Wilkesboro, North Carolina, 28659, United States
Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, United States

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