New combo attack on stubborn head and neck cancers enters early human testing
NCT ID NCT04754321
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-phase trial is testing whether adding the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to radiation therapy before and during surgery can help treat head and neck cancers that have persisted or come back. About 45 adults with resectable tumors will receive the combination. The main goal is to check for side effects, but researchers will also look at how well the cancer responds.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and radiation therapy
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a more effective treatment for head and neck cancers that persist or return after initial therapy.
What could go wrong
This is a very early Phase 1 trial with only 45 people, focused on safety. It may not show strong anti-cancer effects, and side effects from combining immunotherapy with radiation and surgery could be significant.
Disclaimer
Read more
Show less
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.
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 CARCINOMA OF UNKNOWN PRIMARY are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Study contacts
-
Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
-
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
RECRUITINGColumbus, Ohio, 43210, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact