Recruiting

Understanding immune markers in head and neck cancer

Plain-English translation of NCT05375266 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated May 2023 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

What is this trial?

Researchers are trying to understand the immune system's role in head and neck cancer by studying specific immune markers—proteins and cells that show how your body is responding to cancer. By comparing samples from people with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer to samples from people without cancer, the study aims to find patterns that could one day help doctors choose better treatments for each patient.

Right now, doctors know that the immune system affects how well people do with head and neck cancer, but they don't have reliable ways to predict who will benefit most from certain treatments. This study aims to find immune markers in both tumor tissue and blood that could help doctors personalize treatment plans and improve outcomes.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been newly diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (a common type of head and neck cancer) in stage II–IVB, or you are in the control group without a current or previous cancer diagnosis
you are at least 18 years old
you are willing to provide blood, saliva, and stool samples and allow them to be stored for future research
you are able to understand the study's purpose and give your informed consent
you do not have cancer that has spread to distant parts of your body (for cancer patients in the study group)

You likely don't qualify if…

you have cancer that has spread to other parts of your body at the time of diagnosis
you are currently struggling with drug or alcohol abuse
you are unable or unwilling to follow the study protocol
you have a language barrier that prevents you from understanding and consenting to the study
you are unable to provide samples without interfering with your cancer diagnosis or pathology tests

What participation looks like

If you join this study, you will provide samples of blood, saliva, and stool, typically collected at the time of your cancer diagnosis or surgery. The research team will analyze these samples alongside samples from people without cancer to identify patterns in immune markers. You may also be asked to allow researchers to study your medical records and existing tumor tissue samples to better understand your immune response.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 27, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(3 sites)

Germany

ENT - Head and Neck Surgery Department, Erlangen, Bavaria

Maxillo-Facial-Surgery Department, Erlangen, Bavaria

Radiation Oncology Department, Erlangen, Bavaria