Can old drugs stop Radiation's lingering damage? new trial aims to find out

NCT ID NCT06912763

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026 · Updated 4 times

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests several medications—including pravastatin, pentoxifylline, and others—to see if they can treat or prevent lymphedema and fibrosis caused by radiation therapy in head and neck cancer survivors. About 250 participants who have finished radiation at least 6 months ago and have swelling or tissue hardening will be randomly assigned to one of the drugs or standard care. The goal is to find the safest and most effective option to ease these long-term 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: Pravastatin, Pentoxifylline, Ketoprofen, Pirfenidone, Tocopherol
What this could lead to: If successful, this could identify an effective drug combination to reverse or prevent painful swelling and tissue hardening after radiation, improving quality of life for head and neck cancer survivors.
What could go wrong: This is a mid-stage trial with multiple drugs, so it is unclear which, if any, will work. Side effects like muscle pain or liver issues are possible, and results may not apply to all patients.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Fibrosis head and neck cancer Head and Neck Neoplasms lymphedema

As listed by the trial registrant

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

FIBROSIS FIBROSIS SYNDROME HEAD &AMP; NECK CANCER LYMPHEDEMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

MD Anderson Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

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