Immunotherapy tackles precancerous mouth spots
NCT ID NCT03603223
First seen Jul 09, 2026 · Last updated Jul 10, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether pembrolizumab (Keytruda), an immunotherapy drug that helps the immune system attack abnormal cells, can shrink or control leukoplakia—a precancerous condition of the mouth. The study includes people with leukoplakia or related lesions that cannot be removed by surgery or who have declined surgery. Researchers will measure how many participants respond to treatment over six months and look for factors that might predict better outcomes.
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)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a non-surgical treatment option for leukoplakia, potentially reducing the risk of it turning into cancer.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 26 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Pembrolizumab can cause immune-related side effects like inflammation in healthy organs.
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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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGLa Jolla, California, 92093, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
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UCLA / Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
RECRUITINGLos Angeles, California, 90095, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
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USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGLos Angeles, California, 90033, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
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