Radiation plus immunotherapy: new hope for head and neck cancer?
NCT ID NCT03386357
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 2 trial tested whether adding radiotherapy to the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) helps shrink tumors in people with metastatic head and neck cancer that has spread. The study planned to enroll 115 participants, but was terminated early. Researchers measured tumor response using standard criteria. The goal was to see if the combination works better than pembrolizumab alone.
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) and radiotherapy
What this could lead to
If successful, this could show that adding radiotherapy to immunotherapy improves tumor shrinkage in metastatic head and neck cancer.
What could go wrong
The trial was terminated early, so results are limited. It is a phase 2 study with only 115 participants, so findings may not be conclusive or widely applicable.
Disclaimer
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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.
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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Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital, Abteilung für Hämatologie und Onkologie
Bochum, 44791, Germany
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Dresden, Onkologische Gemeinschaftspraxis
Dresden, 01307, Germany
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Düsseldorf, Universitätsklinikum, Klinik für Strahlentherrapie und Radiologische Onkologie
Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany
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Erlangen, Universitätsklinikum Strahlenklinik
Erlangen, 91054, Germany
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Frankfurt, Universitätsklinikum, Klinik für Strahlentherapie und Onkologie
Frankfurt, 60590, Germany
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Homburg, Universitätsklinikum, Klinik für Strahlentherapie und Radioonkologie
Homburg, 66421, Germany
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Regensburg, Universitätsklinikum, Klinik für Strahlentherapie
Regensburg, 93042, Germany