Promising combo therapy for head and neck cancer hits early snag
NCT ID NCT03646461
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase II trial tested two drug combinations—ibrutinib plus nivolumab or ibrutinib plus cetuximab—in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The goal was to see if these combinations could shrink tumors or slow disease progression. However, the study was terminated early after enrolling only 5 participants, so we have very little data on how well these treatments work or what side effects they might cause.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Ibrutinib (Imbruvica) combined with either nivolumab (Opdivo) or cetuximab (Erbitux)
What this could lead to
If successful, this combination approach could point toward a new treatment option for patients with advanced head and neck cancer that has stopped responding to standard therapies.
What could go wrong
This trial was terminated early with only 5 participants, so results are very limited. It is a small, early-phase study, and the combinations may cause significant side effects or fail to improve outcomes.
Disclaimer
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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.
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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
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Locations
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UCSD Moores Cancer Center
La Jolla, California, 92093, United States