Triple threat: vaccine, immunotherapy, and Chemo-Radiation take on HPV head and neck cancer
NCT ID NCT04369937
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This phase 2 trial tested a new approach for people with intermediate-risk HPV-related head and neck cancer. Participants received an HPV-16 vaccine (ISA101b) plus the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab alongside standard chemoradiation. The goal was to see if this combination could improve the chance of keeping the cancer from progressing. The study enrolled 18 patients and tracked how many were still cancer-free after two years, as well as any serious 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
- HPV-16 vaccine (ISA101b) plus pembrolizumab and cisplatin chemoradiotherapy
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this combination could improve the chance of keeping HPV-related head and neck cancer from coming back after standard treatment.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 18 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Adding more drugs also raises the risk of serious side effects.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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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
Locations
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UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15232, United States
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