Two-Drug combo aims to shrink head and neck tumors before surgery

NCT ID NCT07677475

First seen Jun 30, 2026 · Last updated Jul 01, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether adding MRG003 (a targeted drug) to toripalimab (an immunotherapy) before surgery can shrink tumors more than toripalimab alone in people with PD-L1-positive, locally advanced head and neck cancer. Participants receive two cycles of either the combination or toripalimab alone, followed by surgery and additional therapy. The main goal is to see how many patients have a major reduction in tumor cells after treatment.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

MRG003 (becotatug vedotin) and toripalimab

What this could lead to

If successful, this combination could shrink tumors more effectively before surgery, potentially improving long-term outcomes for people with head and neck cancer.

What could go wrong

This is an early-phase trial with a small number of participants. The combination may not prove better than toripalimab alone, and side effects from the two drugs could be more severe.

Disclaimer Read more

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.

head and neck squamous cell carcinoma Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • The Tenth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Dongguan People's Hospital)

    Dongguan, Guangdong, 523059, China

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••