Can a short course of immunotherapy and radiation shrink head and neck tumors before surgery?
NCT ID NCT03247712
First seen Jul 23, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial investigates whether giving the immunotherapy drug nivolumab along with a short course of radiation before surgery can safely shrink tumors and reduce lymph node involvement in people with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Participants receive either 3 or 5 days of radiation plus nivolumab, followed by surgical removal of the tumor. The study focuses on safety—specifically whether the pre-surgery treatment causes delays to the planned operation—and also measures how much the tumor shrinks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- nivolumab (an immunotherapy drug) plus radiation therapy
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could offer a less toxic way to shrink head and neck cancers before surgery, potentially improving outcomes.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase trial with only 22 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The combination of immunotherapy and radiation carries risks of immune-related side effects and surgical delays.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for HEAD AND NECK CANCER are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
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
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Locations
-
Providence Portland Medical Center
Portland, Oregon, 97213, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can laser or ozone therapy better soothe cancer-related mouth pain? a head-to-head comparison
- Open-Face mask may improve comfort and accuracy in head and neck cancer radiation
- Can a new nucleotide analogue boost cancer treatment?
- Can standard cancer treatment wake up the immune system? a study investigates.
- Can a Two-Drug attack shrink Hard-to-Treat head and neck tumors?
- Could a genetic marker guide future cancer therapies in taiwan?