New scan spots hidden cancer spread before surgery

NCT ID NCT06794372

First seen May 13, 2026 · Last updated Jun 23, 2026 · Updated 6 times

Summary

This Phase 2 trial tests whether a special PET/CT scan using [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 can detect early lymph node metastases in people with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The scan targets cancer-associated fibroblasts, which help create a welcoming environment for cancer to spread. Researchers will compare the scan results with standard imaging and with the actual lymph nodes removed during surgery to see if it can identify at-risk nodes before they become full metastases.

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.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA HNSCC are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-••••

  • Contact

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

Locations

  • Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois

    RECRUITING

    Lausanne, Canton of Vaud, 1011, Switzerland

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

    Contact

What this could mean

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

Active substance

[68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 (a radioactive tracer for PET/CT imaging)

What this could lead to

If successful, this imaging method could help doctors detect lymph node metastases earlier and more accurately, leading to better treatment decisions for head and neck cancer patients.

What could go wrong

This is a small early-phase trial with only 20 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The imaging technique is still experimental and may not prove better than current methods.

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.