New combo therapy before surgery shows promise for tough head and neck cancers

NCT ID NCT04938609

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Providence Health & Services Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Apr 11, 2026 · Last updated Apr 28, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tests giving a short course of targeted radiation plus an immunotherapy drug (pembrolizumab) before surgery for people with advanced head and neck cancer that is not caused by HPV. The goal is to shrink or eliminate the tumor before surgery, and to see if this approach improves outcomes while preserving quality of life, especially swallowing function. About 28 adults with stage III or IVA HPV-negative head and neck cancer are participating.

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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.

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Contacts and locations

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Locations

Portland Providence Medical Center

Portland, Oregon, 97213, United States
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center

Portland, Oregon, 97225, United States
University of San Diego

San Diego, California, 92037, United States

Conditions

Explore the condition pages connected to this study.

HEAD AND NECK CANCER HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA