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Blood test guides chemo timing in head and neck cancer trial

NCT ID NCT05420948

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: University of Chicago Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This phase 2 study tests whether adding occasional chemotherapy to the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) can improve outcomes for people with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer. A blood test that measures tumor DNA helps doctors decide when to give the chemo. The trial enrolls 30 adults and lasts about two years.

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) plus carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy
What this could lead to
If successful, this approach could show that using a blood test to guide when to add chemotherapy improves tumor shrinkage compared to immunotherapy alone.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase trial with only 30 participants, so results may not apply widely. Chemotherapy adds side effects like fatigue, nausea, and low blood counts.

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.

carcinoma of pharynx head and neck cancer head and neck neoplasm 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.

HEAD AND NECK CANCER HEAD AND NECK NEOPLASMS HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA HEAD CANCER THROAT CARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center

    RECRUITING

    Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States

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