Immunotherapy after second surgery shows promise for tough head and neck cancers
NCT ID NCT03355560
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.
Disclaimer
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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.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Karmanos Cancer Institute
Detroit, Michigan, 48201, United States
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UC Health
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45219, United States