Immunotherapy combo shows promise in reducing head and neck cancer recurrence
NCT ID NCT02296684
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 2 trial tested whether adding the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to standard surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy could help prevent head and neck cancer from coming back. The study enrolled 67 adults with advanced, surgically removable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Participants received pembrolizumab before and after surgery, alongside standard treatments. The main goals were to see how many patients had their cancer return within a year and to measure tumor response to the drug.
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)
What this could lead to
If successful, this approach could lower the chance of head and neck cancer coming back after surgery and standard treatments.
What could go wrong
This was a small, early-phase trial (67 people) without a comparison group. Results may not apply to all patients, and immunotherapy can cause immune-related side effects.
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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Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York, 10065, United States
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Washington University School of Medicine
St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States