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New drug combo aims to boost immunotherapy for head and neck cancer

NCT ID NCT05980000

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Washington University School of Medicine Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether adding ramucirumab to pembrolizumab (Keytruda) works better than pembrolizumab alone for people with PD-L1 positive head and neck cancer that has come back or spread. About 37 participants will receive either the combination or the single drug. The main goal is to see if the combo shrinks tumors more effectively.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Ramucirumab and pembrolizumab

What this could lead to

If successful, this combination could improve tumor shrinkage and delay cancer progression compared to standard immunotherapy alone.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase trial with only 37 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Adding ramucirumab may increase side effects without clear benefit.

Disclaimer Read more

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.

head and neck cancer head and neck carcinoma Head and Neck Neoplasms head and neck squamous cell carcinoma Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

As listed by the trial registrant

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

HNSCC METASTATIC HEAD AND NECK CANCER METASTATIC HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA RECURRENT HEAD AND NECK CANCER RECURRENT HEAD AND NECK CARCINOMA RECURRENT HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Washington University School of Medicine

    St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States