Pembrolizumab before surgery or radiation for high-risk skin SCC
Treatments studied
Part of Cancer clinical trials.
This Phase 2 trial tests pembrolizumab (an immune therapy) given before surgery to see if it can help control high-risk invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. The goal is to improve outcomes by treating cancer earlier and then following with standard surgery and radiation if needed.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- You have invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) that is locally advanced (Stage II to IV) and is high-risk enough that your team recommends radiation after surgery.
- Your cancer can be fully removed with surgery (a complete resection is planned).
- You have measurable tumors on scans (or, if in a prior radiation area, the tumor has shown growth/progression).
- You are well enough to do daily activities (ECOG performance status 0 to 1) and have an estimated life expectancy over 6 months.
- You can provide a usable tissue sample for research (from a new biopsy or surgery tissue).
- You are 18+ and (if you can become pregnant) agree to pregnancy testing and reliable birth control rules during the study and for at least 120 days after the last dose.
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
Similar studies
Other trials that look related to this one.
This Phase 2 trial tests whether giving pembrolizumab (an immune therapy) plus chemotherapy before curative surgery can improve outcomes for people with resectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell cancer. It also studies how these treatments affect the tumor and immune response using required tissue and blood samples.
This trial tests a new combination for people whose head and neck cancer has come back after prior radiation. You'll receive an immunotherapy drug (pembrolizumab) plus radiation, then surgery. The goal is to see if this approach can improve how well surgery works.
This trial studies whether pembrolizumab, given before surgery, can improve outcomes for certain people with stage III–IVA head and neck squamous cell cancer. It’s typically added alongside low-dose PFAS as part of treatment leading up to standard surgery and afterward medicines/radiation.
This trial tests whether adding pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy drug) to standard chemotherapy before surgery can help people with advanced head and neck cancer. It aims to see if the combination is more effective than chemotherapy alone.
This trial tests whether pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy drug) works better than the usual chemo plus radiation after surgery for cancer that has come back in the head and neck area. It may help reduce cancer returning or spreading by using your immune system, but eligibility depends on how the cancer came back and your prior treatments.
This Phase 2 study tests pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy medicine) together with induction chemotherapy before the main cancer treatment for stage III/IVA head and neck squamous cell cancer. It aims to improve how well the tumor responds and how long people can stay controlled.
Hear when a new Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck trial opens
We’ll email you when one opens — at most once a week, no account needed, unsubscribe anytime.