Could less radiation be enough for HPV throat cancer? new trial aims to find out.

NCT ID NCT06902623

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Georgetown University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study is testing whether people with early-stage HPV-positive throat cancer can be treated with radiation alone at a lower dose, instead of the usual full-dose radiation plus chemotherapy. The goal is to see if this gentler approach can keep the cancer from coming back while causing fewer long-term side effects. The trial will enroll 30 adults with stage I-II HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: radiation therapy (66 Gy)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that many patients with early HPV-positive throat cancer can skip chemotherapy and receive a lower radiation dose, reducing long-term side effects while still controlling the cancer.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase study with only 30 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Lowering treatment intensity could increase the risk of cancer recurrence, and long-term safety data are not yet available.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

human papilloma virus infection human papillomavirus-related squamous cell carcinoma oropharynx cancer tongue cancer tonsil cancer

As listed by the trial registrant

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

BASE OF TONGUE CANCER HPV OROPHARYNGEAL CANCERS TONSIL CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
RECRUITING

Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20007, United States
Medstar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
RECRUITING

Clinton, Maryland, 20735, United States

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