Comparing radiation plus targeted therapy vs standard chemo for head and neck cancer
Treatments studied
Part of Cancer, Ear, nose & throat, Lungs & breathing, Mouth & dental clinical trials.
This trial compares two treatments for advanced head and neck cancer in patients who cannot take the drug cisplatin. One group gets radiation plus a targeted drug called cetuximab, the other gets radiation plus standard chemotherapy. The goal is to see which approach works better and is safer for people who are not candidates for cisplatin.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- You have a type of head and neck cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) that has not been treated yet and cannot be removed with surgery.
- Your cancer is advanced but has not spread to other parts of the body.
- You cannot take cisplatin because of kidney problems, nerve damage, hearing loss, older age with other health issues, or a combination of frailty and health concerns.
- You are 18 years or older.
- You have not had chemotherapy or radiation for this cancer before.
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 trial tests whether giving chemotherapy or chemotherapy plus immunotherapy before surgery can improve outcomes for people with advanced head and neck cancer that has come back or not gone away after prior treatment.
This study tests whether adding a new targeted drug called ipatasertib to standard chemoradiation can improve treatment for people with locally advanced head and neck cancer. Ipatasertib may help block a protein that helps cancer grow, possibly making the standard therapy more effective.
This trial studies whether adding cisplatin (a chemotherapy medicine) to radiation therapy helps people with stage III–IVA squamous cell cancer of the head and neck after they’ve had surgery. It’s meant to lower the risk of the cancer coming back.
This trial compares two standard treatment approaches for oropharyngeal (throat) squamous cell cancer: surgery plus recovery, versus chemotherapy combined with radiation. It is testing which plan works better for patients whose tumors are HPV-negative (p16 negative).
This trial tests whether adding BMX-001 (a drug that may protect healthy tissues) to standard chemoradiation can reduce side effects and improve outcomes for people with head and neck cancer. It's a randomized study, so you would have a 50/50 chance of getting BMX-001 or a placebo.
This trial tests a combination of two drugs—an immunotherapy (PD-1 inhibitor) and a targeted therapy (cetuximab)—given before surgery to shrink advanced head and neck cancers. The goal is to see if this approach can lower the risk of the cancer coming back.
Hear when a new Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma trial opens
We’ll email you when one opens — at most once a week, no account needed, unsubscribe anytime.