New proton beam therapy aims to zap head and neck cancer with fewer side effects

NCT ID NCT05075980

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Mayo Clinic Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study is testing whether a precise form of radiation called proton therapy can control head and neck cancer after surgery as well as standard X-ray radiation, but with fewer side effects. About 174 adults with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer will receive either proton therapy or standard radiation, plus the chemotherapy drug cisplatin. The main goal is to see how many patients remain cancer-free in the treated area after two years.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: proton therapy (intensity modulated proton therapy, IMPT) and cisplatin chemotherapy
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that proton therapy is as effective as standard X-ray radiation at controlling head and neck cancer after surgery, while causing fewer side effects.
What could go wrong: This is a mid-stage trial with 174 participants, so results are not yet proven. The treatment may not control the cancer as well as hoped, and side effects from the chemotherapy (cisplatin) can still be significant.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cancer of unknown primary site head and neck carcinoma hypopharyngeal carcinoma hypopharynx cancer laryngeal carcinoma laryngeal neoplasm Lymphatic Metastasis metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes Mouth Neoplasms nasal cavity carcinoma oral cavity carcinoma oropharyngeal carcinoma oropharynx cancer paranasal sinus carcinoma Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms salivary gland cancer salivary gland carcinoma skin squamous cell carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

CUTANEOUS SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF THE HEAD AND NECK HEAD AND NECK CARCINOMA HEAD AND NECK CARCINOMA OF UNKNOWN PRIMARY HYPOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA LARYNGEAL CARCINOMA LOCALLY ADVANCED CUTANEOUS SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF THE HEAD AND NECK METASTATIC MALIGNANT NEOPLASM IN THE LYMPH NODES NASAL CAVITY CARCINOMA ORAL CAVITY CARCINOMA OROPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA PARANASAL SINUS CARCINOMA SALIVARY GLAND CARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Mayo Clinic Health System - Eau Claire

Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 54701, United States
Mayo Clinic Health System - Franciscan Healthcare

La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601, United States
Mayo Clinic Health System - Mankato

Mankato, Minnesota, 56001, United States
Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea

Albert Lea, Minnesota, 56007, United States
Mayo Clinic Hospital in Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona, 85054, United States
Mayo Clinic Radiation Therapy - Northfield

Northfield, Minnesota, 55057, United States
Mayo Clinic in Arizona

Scottsdale, Arizona, 85259, United States
Mayo Clinic in Florida

Jacksonville, Florida, 32224, United States
Mayo Clinic in Rochester

Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States

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