New combo aims to wipe out returning nose cancer with chemo, immunotherapy, and surgery

NCT ID NCT07129772

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This phase II trial tests whether giving pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy) plus chemotherapy before surgery, followed by maintenance pembrolizumab, can improve outcomes for people with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. About 53 participants will receive up to 6 cycles of the drug combo, then undergo minimally invasive surgery to remove any remaining tumor, followed by a year of pembrolizumab. The main goal is to see how many patients have no cancer cells left in their surgical samples.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

pembrolizumab, gemcitabine, cisplatin

What this could lead to

If successful, this approach could offer a chance to remove recurrent tumors completely and reduce the need for long-term immunotherapy.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase trial with only 53 people, so results may not apply widely. There are risks from chemotherapy, surgery, and immune-related side effects.

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.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

nasopharyngeal carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

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

  • Contact

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

Locations

  • Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital

    Hong Kong, Hong Kong