New drug cocktail aims to shrink oral tumors before surgery

NCT ID NCT07484139

Not yet recruiting Disease control Sponsor: UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests a combination of two drugs, XL-092 and pembrolizumab (Keytruda), given before surgery to people with a type of oral cancer that is HPV-negative and can be removed. The goal is to see if the drugs can shrink or eliminate the tumor before the operation. About 26 participants will be enrolled, and the study will check how many have a major or complete response in their tumor tissue after treatment.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: XL-092 (Zanzalintinib) and pembrolizumab (Keytruda)
What this could lead to: If this works, it could lead to a new treatment option that shrinks oral cavity tumors before surgery, potentially improving survival and reducing recurrence.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 26 participants. The combination may cause side effects, and it's not yet known if it works better than current treatments.

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.

head and neck cancer Head and Neck Neoplasms oral cavity 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 ORAL CAVITY SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, United States
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States

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