Experimental drug combo aims to fight returning head and neck tumors
NCT ID NCT03803774
First seen Nov 01, 2025 · Last updated Jun 19, 2026 · Updated 36 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.
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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.
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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Contacts and locations
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Locations
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HaysMed
Hays, Kansas, 67601, United States
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Huntsman Cancer Institute/University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, United States
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Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone
New York, New York, 10016, United States
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Lawrence Memorial Hospital
Lawrence, Kansas, 66044, United States
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Los Angeles General Medical Center
Los Angeles, California, 90033, United States
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Mercy Hospital Pittsburg
Pittsburg, Kansas, 66762, United States
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Moffitt Cancer Center
Tampa, Florida, 33612, United States
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Moffitt Cancer Center - McKinley Campus
Tampa, Florida, 33612, United States
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Moffitt Cancer Center-International Plaza
Tampa, Florida, 33607, United States
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NCI - Center for Cancer Research
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
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NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island
Mineola, New York, 11501, United States
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Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States
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Salina Regional Health Center
Salina, Kansas, 67401, United States
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The University of Kansas Cancer Center - Olathe
Olathe, Kansas, 66061, United States
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UC Irvine Health/Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Orange, California, 92868, United States
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UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at Coral Gables
Coral Gables, Florida, 33146, United States
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UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at Deerfield Beach
Deerfield Beach, Florida, 33442, United States
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UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at Plantation
Plantation, Florida, 33324, United States
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USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
Los Angeles, California, 90033, United States
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University Health Truman Medical Center
Kansas City, Missouri, 64108, United States
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University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Center
Birmingham, Alabama, 35233, United States
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University of Kansas Cancer Center
Kansas City, Kansas, 66160, United States
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University of Kansas Cancer Center - Lee's Summit
Lee's Summit, Missouri, 64064, United States
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University of Kansas Cancer Center - North
Kansas City, Missouri, 64154, United States
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University of Kansas Cancer Center at North Kansas City Hospital
North Kansas City, Missouri, 64116, United States
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University of Kansas Cancer Center-Overland Park
Overland Park, Kansas, 66210, United States
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University of Kansas Clinical Research Center
Fairway, Kansas, 66205, United States
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University of Kansas Health System Saint Francis Campus
Topeka, Kansas, 66606, United States
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University of Kansas Hospital-Westwood Cancer Center
Westwood, Kansas, 66205, United States
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University of Kentucky/Markey Cancer Center
Lexington, Kentucky, 40536, United States
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University of Miami Miller School of Medicine-Sylvester Cancer Center
Miami, Florida, 33136, United States
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Wake Forest Baptist Health - Wilkes Medical Center
Wilkesboro, North Carolina, 28659, United States
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Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, United States
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.
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.