Recruiting

Testing a new injection treatment combined with radiation for advanced head and neck cancer

Plain-English translation of NCT04892173 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated July 2026 · Translation generated July 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 3 — Testing in thousands of people, comparing the treatment against what doctors currently use. This is the last big step before approval.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing a new treatment called NBTXR3, which is injected directly into the tumor and then activated by radiation therapy. The researchers want to see if adding this medication to standard radiation therapy (with or without a drug called ) helps patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma live longer and have better outcomes than radiation therapy alone. The trial is designed specifically for older adults and those who cannot safely receive platinum-based chemotherapy.

Many older adults with advanced head and neck cancer cannot receive standard chemotherapy due to age, hearing problems, nerve damage, or kidney function issues. This medication offers a different approach by delivering treatment directly into the tumor, potentially making radiation therapy more effective without the side effects of chemotherapy.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 60 years old or older
you have been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth, throat, or voice box that is locally advanced and has not been treated before
you are not eligible to receive platinum-based chemotherapy (due to kidney function, hearing loss, nerve damage, heart problems, or advanced age)
your cancer is large enough and in a location where doctors can inject the medication directly into it
you are in good enough overall health to undergo radiation therapy (ECOG performance status 0 or 1)
you have a life expectancy of at least 6 months

You likely don't qualify if…

you have cancer of the nasopharynx, sinuses, salivary glands, or thyroid, or if your cancer is not squamous cell type
your cancer has already been treated with surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy
you have an active infection requiring antibiotics within 2 weeks of starting the trial
you have had another cancer diagnosed within the last 2 years
your current cancer is very early stage (T1-2 N0 or T2 N1) or has spread to distant parts of your body

What participation looks like

If you enroll, you will receive an injection of the medication directly into your tumor, followed by radiation therapy (and possibly , depending on what your doctor chooses). You will be randomly assigned to receive either the new medication plus radiation therapy, or radiation therapy alone. You will need to attend multiple visits for injections, radiation treatments, and follow-up care. The study involves monitoring your response to treatment and tracking any side effects over time.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 18, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(193 sites)

United States

University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

City of Hope, Duarte, California

University of California at San Diego Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California

Memorial Radiation Oncology Medical Group Laguna Hills, Laguna Hills, California

UCLA Hematology Oncology, Los Angeles, California