Could a drug combo save nerves in ear cancer surgery?
NCT ID NCT07370337
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This phase 2 trial is testing whether giving the immunotherapy drug tislelizumab along with chemotherapy before surgery can shrink advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the ear canal. The goal is to make surgery easier and safer, especially to protect important nerves near the ear. About 50 adults with previously untreated, locally advanced tumors will receive 2-3 cycles of the drug combo, then researchers will measure how many tumors shrink and how often nerves are spared.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- tislelizumab combined with chemotherapy (nab-paclitaxel and cisplatin)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could shrink tumors enough to allow safer surgery, potentially preserving facial nerves and improving quality of life for patients with advanced ear canal cancer.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 50 participants and no comparison group. The treatment may not work better than standard care, and side effects from chemotherapy and immunotherapy can be serious.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for LOCALLY ADVANCED TUMOR are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
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
-
Li Wang
RECRUITINGShanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200031, China