Can heat boost chemo? early trial tests thermotherapy for head and neck cancer

NCT ID NCT07690618

First seen Jul 08, 2026 · Last updated Jul 09, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early-phase trial tests whether adding mild heat therapy (thermotherapy) to standard chemoradiation is safe and tolerable for people with advanced head and neck cancer. The heat, applied once a week, aims to make the cancer more sensitive to treatment. The study includes two groups: one receiving chemoradiation plus heat, and another receiving radiation alone plus heat. The main goal is to find the best heat dose and check for side effects like mouth stiffness or burns.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
thermotherapy (mild hyperthermia)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could lead to a new, safe way to boost the effectiveness of standard chemoradiation for head and neck cancer, potentially reducing tumor recurrence.
What could go wrong
This is a very early phase I trial with only 30 participants, so it is primarily testing safety and dosing, not yet effectiveness. Adding heat may increase side effects like mouth stiffness, burns, or tissue damage.

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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

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Erasmus Medical Center

    Rotterdam, South Holland, 3015 CD, Netherlands

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

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