Recruiting

Testing a new nerve pain medication after head and neck cancer treatment

Plain-English translation of NCT06766916 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated May 2025 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 2 — Testing in a bigger group (up to a few hundred people) to see if the treatment actually works and is still safe.

What is this trial?

This study is testing a new medication called to see if it works as well as an older medication () for treating nerve pain that develops after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Both medications are designed to calm damaged nerves and reduce pain. The trial will compare how much pain relief each medication provides over 4 weeks.

Nerve pain after radiation therapy is common and significantly affects quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors. Researchers want to know if this newer medication might offer similar or better pain relief with potentially fewer side effects than the current standard treatment.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 18 years old or older and expected to live at least 5 more months
you had head and neck cancer treated with radiation therapy at least 6 months ago
you have ongoing nerve pain (rated 4 or higher on a 0-10 scale) in areas affected by the radiation, such as your head, face, neck, or arms
your nerve pain has lasted at least 4 weeks and has been confirmed by trained neurologists
you can understand the study information, communicate clearly, and complete questionnaires

You likely don't qualify if…

you have severe problems with your blood counts, liver function, or kidney function
you have serious heart, lung, or blood pressure problems, or uncontrolled seizures
you are allergic to either of the study medications
you have cancer that has come back or spread, and that cancer is causing your pain
you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding

What participation looks like

You will be randomly assigned to take either the new medication () or the standard medication (). You'll start with a low dose and gradually increase it over time to find the best dose for you. The study team will track your pain levels using a simple pain scale over 4 weeks. You'll need to complete questionnaires about your pain and any side effects you experience during this period.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 7, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(11 sites)

China

Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong

Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong

Affillated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong

The Affiliated Brain Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong