Immunotherapy combo tested for tough head and neck cancers
NCT ID NCT02819752
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-phase trial tested whether adding the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to standard chemoradiation is safe for people with stage IV head and neck cancer. Only 3 patients were enrolled before the study was stopped. The main goal was to find the highest safe dose and track side effects, especially mouth and skin reactions from radiation.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) plus cisplatin or carboplatin chemotherapy and radiation therapy
- What this could lead to
- If this combination proves safe and effective, it could point toward a more powerful treatment for advanced head and neck cancer.
- What could go wrong
- This was a very early, small phase 1 trial that was terminated early with only 3 participants. The added side effects of combining immunotherapy with chemoradiation may outweigh any benefit.
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.
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
-
Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
London, SW3 6JJ, United Kingdom
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