New combo aims to tame HPV throat cancer with fewer side effects

NCT ID NCT07578467

Not yet recruiting Disease control Sponsor: Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 09, 2026 · Updated 4 times

Summary

This early-phase trial tests whether a new drug (ATRN-119) combined with a single, precise dose of radiation to the neck can safely and effectively treat early-stage HPV-positive throat cancer before surgery. About 35 participants will take the drug daily for 10 days and receive one radiation treatment on day 3, followed by standard surgery. The goal is to reduce long-term side effects while keeping cure rates high.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: ATRN-119 (a drug that blocks a DNA repair protein called ATR) plus a single dose of highly targeted radiation (SBRT) to the neck lymph nodes
What this could lead to: If it works, this approach could offer a less toxic treatment option for early-stage HPV-positive throat cancer, potentially reducing long-term side effects while keeping cure rates high.
What could go wrong: This is an early-phase trial with only 35 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The drug-radiation combo could cause unexpected side effects or fail to improve outcomes over standard care.

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.

human papilloma virus infection human papillomavirus-related squamous cell carcinoma oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma squamous cell carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

HPV (HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS)-ASSOCIATED CARCINOMA HPV ASSOCIATED CANCERS HPV POSITIVE OROPHARYNGEAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OROPHARYNGEAL HPV SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

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