Can Pre-Surgery immunotherapy prime the immune system to fight head and neck cancer?
NCT ID NCT03708224
First seen Aug 11, 2026 · Last updated Aug 12, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase II trial is investigating whether giving immunotherapy before surgery can boost the immune system's attack on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Participants receive atezolizumab alone or combined with other immune-modulating agents, then undergo surgery. The study measures changes in tumor-infiltrating immune cells and surgical outcomes, such as complete tumor removal.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Atezolizumab, tocilizumab, and tiragolumab (immune-modulating drugs given intravenously before surgery)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could make head and neck tumors more responsive to surgery and reduce the risk of cancer returning.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase trial with a small number of participants, so results may not apply broadly. Immunotherapy can cause immune-related side effects, and the combination drugs may not improve outcomes as hoped.
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
Locations
-
University of San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California, 94143, United States
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