Immunotherapy after second surgery shows promise for tough head and neck cancers

NCT ID NCT03355560

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Trisha Wise-Draper Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested the drug nivolumab (Opdivo) in 39 people with head and neck cancer who had already received radiation and then had a second surgery to remove remaining cancer. The goal was to see if nivolumab could help prevent the cancer from coming back and to check for side effects. Participants received nivolumab infusions after surgery, and researchers tracked serious side effects and cancer recurrence.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: nivolumab (Opdivo)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a way to reduce the risk of cancer returning after salvage surgery in patients with head and neck cancer who have already had radiation.
What could go wrong: This is a small, single-arm phase 2 study with only 39 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Nivolumab can cause serious immune-related side effects.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

head and neck cancer Head and Neck Neoplasms head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

HEAD AND NECK CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Karmanos Cancer Institute

Detroit, Michigan, 48201, United States
UC Health

Cincinnati, Ohio, 45219, United States

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