Can adding radiation boost immunotherapy against spread head and neck cancer?
NCT ID NCT04747054
First seen Jul 31, 2026 · Last updated Jul 31, 2026
Summary
This trial tests whether adding radiotherapy to the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (with or without chemotherapy) helps people with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Participants receive either standard systemic treatment alone or the same treatment plus radiation to the tumor area. The study measures how long patients live without the cancer getting worse and overall survival.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy drug) plus loco-regional radiotherapy
- What this could lead to
- If adding radiotherapy to pembrolizumab works, it could slow cancer growth and extend survival for people with metastatic head and neck cancer.
- What could go wrong
- This is a phase 3 trial, but results are not guaranteed. Radiotherapy may add side effects, and the benefit over standard treatment is uncertain.
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
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CH Carcassonne
RECRUITINGCarcassonne, 1A810, France
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CH Valence
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGValence, 26953, France
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CHU Bordeaux
RECRUITINGBordeaux, 33075, France
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CHU Jean Minjoz
RECRUITINGBesançon, 25030, France
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CHU de Saint Etienne
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGSaint-Priest-en-Jarez, 42270, France
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Centre Antoine Lacassagne
RECRUITINGNice, France
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Centre François Baclesse
RECRUITINGCaen, 14076, France
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Centre Georges François Leclerc
RECRUITINGDijon, France
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Centre Guillaume le Conquérant
SUSPENDEDLe Havre, France
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Centre Henri Becquerel
RECRUITINGRouen, 76038, France
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Centre Jean Bernard - Clinique Victor Hugo
RECRUITINGLe Mans, France
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Centre Jean Perrin
RECRUITINGClermont-Ferrand, 63011, France
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Centre Léon Bérard
WITHDRAWNLyon, France
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Centre Oscar Lambret
RECRUITINGLille, 59020, France
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Groupe Hospitalier Bretagne Sud
RECRUITINGLorient, France
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Gustave Roussy
RECRUITINGVillejuif, France
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Hopital Nord Franche Comté - Site de Mittan
RECRUITINGMontbéliard, 25209, France
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Hopital Privé Drome Ardeche
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGValence, 26000, France
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Hopital de la Timone
RECRUITINGMarseille, France
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Institut Bergonié
RECRUITINGBordeaux, France
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Institut Claudius Regaud
RECRUITINGToulouse, 31059, France
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Institut Jean Godinot
RECRUITINGReims, 51726, France
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Institut Sainte Catherine
RECRUITINGAvignon, 84000, France
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Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg-Europe
RECRUITINGStrasbourg, France
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Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine
RECRUITINGVandœuvre-lès-Nancy, 54519, France
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Polyclinique de l'Ormeau
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGTarbes, 65000, France
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Smartphone app aims to combat malnutrition in head and neck cancer patients
- Can a Two-Pronged attack shrink Hard-to-Treat cancers?
- New hope for hard-to-treat cancers? experimental combo enters phase 2 trial
- New antibody drug aims to unleash immune system on Hard-to-Treat cancers
- Could fewer radiation sessions after surgery improve quality of life for head and neck cancer patients?
- New cocktail shows promise for tough head and neck cancer