Blood test may help some throat cancer patients skip or shorten radiation
NCT ID NCT05307939
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study is testing whether a blood test that detects HPV DNA can help doctors decide who needs radiation after surgery for HPV-related oropharynx cancer. In one group, patients with no detectable HPV DNA after surgery will be watched closely and only get radiation if the test becomes positive. In another group, patients who would normally need 6 weeks of chemoradiation may get only 3 weeks if their test results are favorable. The goal is to see if this personalized approach can safely reduce treatment and 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 ctDNA blood test (NavDx assay) and radiation therapy
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could allow some patients to safely skip or shorten radiation therapy after surgery, reducing side effects while still controlling the cancer.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 30 participants. The strategy may not be as effective as standard treatment, and there is a risk of cancer returning if radiation is delayed or shortened.
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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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Baptist Alliance MCI (Data Collection Only)
RECRUITINGMiami, Florida, 33143, United States
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge (Limited protocol activities)
RECRUITINGBasking Ridge, New Jersey, 07920, United States
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (Limited Protocol Activities)
RECRUITINGMontvale, New Jersey, 07645, United States
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (All Protocol Activities)
RECRUITINGNew York, New York, 10065, United States
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth (Limited Protocol Activities)
RECRUITINGMiddletown, New Jersey, 07748, United States
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau (Limited protocol activities)
RECRUITINGRockville Centre, New York, 11553, United States
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Suffolk-Commack (Limited Protocol Activities)
RECRUITINGCommack, New York, 11725, United States
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester (Limited Protocol Activites)
RECRUITINGEast White Plains, New York, 10604, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Could Self-Sampling revolutionize cervical cancer screening?
- Could a PET scan spare throat cancer patients from High-Dose radiation?
- Blood test may tailor throat cancer treatment, sparing patients from harsh side effects
- Texting parents could be key to curbing HPV-Related cancers
- Pocket-sized HIV test could bring same-day diagnosis to community clinics