Recruiting

Targeted radiation therapy for advanced head and neck cancer

Plain-English translation of NCT05348486 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated April 2025 · Translation generated August 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing a smarter approach to radiation therapy for advanced head and neck cancer. Researchers will use special imaging to identify parts of the tumor that have poor blood oxygen levels, then deliver higher radiation doses directly to those areas while also giving chemotherapy (cisplatin). The goal is to see if this targeted approach works better than standard radiation therapy.

Tumors often have areas with low oxygen levels that are resistant to standard radiation therapy. This trial is designed to test whether concentrating higher radiation doses on these hard-to-treat areas can improve cure rates and survival for people with advanced head and neck cancer.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been newly diagnosed with stage III or IV squamous cell carcinoma of the throat, larynx, or oral cavity (certain oropharyngeal cancers must be p16 negative)
you have not had prior surgery for your tumor or involved lymph nodes
you have not received previous chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or radiation for head and neck cancer
you are healthy enough to tolerate intensive chemoradiation (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 or 1)
you have adequate kidney and liver function based on blood tests

You likely don't qualify if…

you have had any previous surgery to remove the primary tumor or involved lymph nodes (other than diagnostic biopsy)
you have active cancer that has spread to the brain, spinal cord, or other distant parts of your body
you have active hepatitis B or C, HIV, or an active infection requiring antibiotics or antiviral medications
you have a history of another cancer unless you have been cancer-free for at least 5 years
you have had an organ or tissue transplant

What participation looks like

You would receive 33 sessions of radiation therapy over about 6.5 weeks, either at a standard dose or at a higher targeted dose depending on which group you are assigned to. Along with radiation, you would receive chemotherapy infusions (either weekly or every three weeks). Throughout treatment, you would be examined and monitored by your medical team at least every two weeks to check how you are tolerating the therapy and how the tumor is responding.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Aug 11, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(3 sites)

Czechia

The Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno

Radiation oncology department in Palacký University and University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc

Faculty Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava