Head and neck cancer: which chemo combo works best?

NCT ID NCT01154920

First seen Nov 10, 2025 · Last updated Jun 21, 2026 · Updated 30 times

Summary

This study compares two chemotherapy combinations for people with advanced head and neck cancer that hasn't been treated yet. One group gets paclitaxel, carboplatin, and cetuximab weekly; the other gets cetuximab, docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil in cycles. The goal is to see which combination helps patients live longer without the cancer growing, and to compare side effects. About 128 participants will take part.

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.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Dana Farber Cancer Institute

    Boston, Massachusetts, 20115, United States

  • University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

    Houston, Texas, 77030, 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

chemotherapy drugs (paclitaxel, carboplatin, cetuximab, docetaxel, cisplatin, fluorouracil)

What this could lead to

If successful, this trial could identify a more effective chemotherapy regimen for advanced head and neck cancer, potentially improving survival and quality of life.

What could go wrong

This is a phase 2 trial with only 128 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. Chemotherapy side effects can be severe, and the better regimen may still have limited long-term benefit.

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Head and Neck Neoplasms head and neck squamous cell carcinoma Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

As listed by the trial registrant

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