Triple therapy aims to shrink head and neck tumors before surgery

NCT ID NCT07552558

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests a combination of an experimental drug (ficerafusp alfa), an immunotherapy (pembrolizumab), and targeted radiation before surgery for people with advanced head and neck cancer that is HPV-negative. About 45 participants will receive these treatments over several weeks, then undergo standard surgery and follow-up care. The goal is to see if this approach can completely eliminate the tumor in the removed tissue and to find the safest radiation dose.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

ficerafusp alfa (BCA101) plus pembrolizumab (Keytruda) plus stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT)

What this could lead to

If successful, this combination could become a new pre-surgery treatment to shrink tumors more effectively in advanced head and neck cancer.

What could go wrong

This is an early phase 1/2 trial with only 45 participants, so results are preliminary. The added drugs and radiation may cause significant side effects, and not all patients may benefit.

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 Neoplasms head and neck squamous cell carcinoma hypopharynx cancer jaw cancer laryngeal neoplasm lip cancer Mouth Neoplasms oropharynx cancer squamous cell carcinoma Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck tongue cancer

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: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

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

Locations

  • Washington University School of Medicine

    St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States

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

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

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