New cocktail of cancer drugs targets Hard-to-Treat head and neck tumors
NCT ID NCT06912087
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-stage trial is testing a new three-drug combination for people with head and neck cancer that has come back or spread. The drugs include a targeted therapy (zanzalintinib), an immunotherapy (pembrolizumab), and another targeted antibody (cetuximab). The main goal is to find the safest dose and see if the combination can shrink tumors or slow the disease. About 36 adults with incurable, recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck will take part.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- zanzalintinib (a targeted therapy drug) combined with pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy) and cetuximab (a targeted antibody)
- What this could lead to
- If this combination proves safe and effective, it could offer a new treatment option for people with advanced head and neck cancer that has returned or spread.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early Phase I trial with only 36 participants, focused on safety and dosing. The combination may cause significant side effects, and it is too early to know if it will improve survival or tumor control.
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 CARCINOMA, SQUAMOUS CELL 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
-
University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
RECRUITINGChicago, Illinois, 60637, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can targeted radiation boost Immunotherapy's power against head and neck cancer?
- One drop, many cancers? a rapid test aims to spot cancer signals in blood, urine, or saliva
- Can a new pill slow advanced breast cancer better than standard hormone therapy?
- Touch and tingle: Non-Drug therapies aim to tame chemo side effects
- Real-World data may reveal Pluvicto's true impact on advanced prostate cancer survival
- Combination therapy targets resistant breast cancer