Pembrolizumab with chemotherapy for recurrent head and neck cancer
Treatments studied
Part of Cancer clinical trials.
This trial studies whether pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy (platinum and gemcitabine) can control recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that can’t be cured with local treatments. It may help shrink tumors and slow disease growth in people who haven’t had cancer medicines for this stage before.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- You are 18 or older and have confirmed head and neck squamous cell cancer that has returned or spread, and can’t be cured locally.
- Your cancer started in the throat (oropharynx), mouth (oral cavity), voice box (larynx), or lower throat (hypopharynx)—not the nasopharynx.
- You have not had prior cancer medicines for the recurrent/metastatic stage (with limited exceptions for past treatment more than 6 months ago).
- Your disease can be measured on scans (and if a spot was previously irradiated, it must show progression).
- You can provide tumor tissue for biomarker testing (either a new biopsy or stored biopsy slides/blocks).
- Your body can handle treatment based on recent blood/organ tests, and your general fitness is good (ECOG 0–1).
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
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