Blood test could guide cancer treatment, reducing side effects
NCT ID NCT07513324
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a blood test that detects HPV DNA can help doctors choose the right treatment for people with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer. About 116 participants with stage I to III cancer will receive either the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) or standard observation, based on their risk level. The goal is to improve survival and reduce treatment side effects.
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)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could personalize treatment for HPV-positive throat cancer, potentially improving survival while reducing unnecessary side effects.
- What could go wrong
- This is a Phase 2 trial with only 116 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The treatment involves an immunotherapy drug, which can cause serious immune-related side effects.
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
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- New drug combo aims to shrink oral cancers before surgery