Could less be more? trial tests reduced radiation and chemo after surgery for HPV-Linked throat cancer

NCT ID NCT05388773

First seen Jul 21, 2026 · Last updated Jul 22, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial studies people with HPV-positive oropharynx cancer whose tumors can be surgically removed. After surgery, patients are grouped by risk: low-risk patients get no further treatment, intermediate-risk get a lower dose of radiation, and high-risk get lower-dose radiation plus chemotherapy. The goal is to see if this tailored, less-intense approach can keep the cancer from coming back while reducing 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
transoral surgery followed by risk-based de-escalated intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with or without cisplatin or carboplatin chemotherapy
What this could lead to
If successful, this approach could show that many patients with HPV-positive throat cancer can receive less aggressive radiation and chemotherapy after surgery without compromising cancer control, reducing long-term side effects.
What could go wrong
This is a mid-stage trial with 150 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. De-escalated therapy could lead to higher recurrence rates in some risk groups.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

DNA Virus Infections epithelial neoplasm Head and Neck Neoplasms human papilloma virus infection oropharynx cancer oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma otorhinolaryngologic disease Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms papilloma Pharyngeal Diseases pharynx cancer squamous cell carcinoma Stomatognathic Diseases Tumor Virus Infections

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

  • UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

    RECRUITING

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15232, United States

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

    Contact

    Contact

    Contact

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

    Contact

    Contact

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