Can heat make radiation more effective against head and neck cancer?
NCT ID NCT06761937
First seen Sep 01, 2026 · Last updated Sep 03, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This trial tests whether adding weekly thermotherapy, a treatment that heats the tumor and lymph nodes, to standard radiotherapy can help people with head and neck cancer who cannot receive chemotherapy. The goal is to find a safe dose of thermotherapy that does not cause severe side effects. Participants will receive the heated treatment once a week alongside their usual radiation schedule. Researchers will monitor for side effects during treatment and for six months after the last session.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Thermotherapy (hyperthermia) added to standard radiotherapy
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a way to boost the effectiveness of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer patients who cannot tolerate chemotherapy, potentially reducing the chance of tumor recurrence.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small phase 1 trial with only 2 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The added heat could cause side effects like burns, tissue damage, or severe mouth or throat inflammation.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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2 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2025
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age \>= 18 years * WHO 0-1 * Mouth opening before treatment of \>= 40 mm for women and \>= 45mm for men * Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx proven by cytology / histology. * Locally advanced disease (stage III-IV). * Curative intend treatment with radiotherapy in the primary setting with a contraindication for systemic adjuvant treatment. * Ability to understand the requirements of the study and to give written informed consent, as determined by the treating physician. * Written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients previously treated by radiation on the same target volume. * Any condition or circumstance potentially hampering compliance with the follow-up schedule. * Patients having pacemakers or clustered metal markers (with a total length \>2 cm of metal markers in direct contact). * Tumor location caudal to a tracheostomy (this prevents penetration of the microwaves to the tumor). * Anatomical boundaries of the shoulders prohibiting positioning of the applicator.
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
-
Erasmus MC
Rotterdam, South Holland, 3015 CD, Netherlands
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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