New drug combo aims to boost immune attack on HPV throat cancer before surgery

NCT ID NCT05787639

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: University of California, San Diego Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether giving targeted radiation along with two immunotherapy drugs (evorpacept and pembrolizumab) before standard surgery can improve outcomes for people with HPV-related throat cancer. The study enrolls 29 patients with early-stage, resectable disease. The main goal is to see if the cancer responds completely or mostly to this pre-surgery treatment.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: evorpacept (ALX148) and pembrolizumab
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could improve how well HPV-related throat cancer responds to treatment before surgery, potentially leading to better outcomes.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 29 participants. The combination may not improve response rates and could cause side effects from radiation and immunotherapy.

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.

oropharyngeal carcinoma oropharynx cancer

As listed by the trial registrant

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

OROPHARYNX CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Oregon Health and Science University

Portland, Oregon, 97239, United States
Providence Health & Services

Portland, Oregon, 97213, United States
UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center

La Jolla, California, 92093, United States

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