Adding low-dose radiation to immunotherapy and targeted therapy before surgery for head and neck cancer

Plain-English translation of NCT07040956 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated May 2026 · 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 trial is testing whether a new combination treatment works better than current standard care for head and neck cancer that can be surgically removed. The combination includes (an immunotherapy medication that helps your immune system fight cancer) and (a targeted therapy that blocks cancer growth signals), plus a small dose of radiation therapy. The trial compares this three-part approach against the two medications alone, both given before surgery.

Most patients with advanced head and neck cancer have poor survival rates, and current treatments before surgery haven't significantly improved outcomes. Researchers believe that combining low-dose radiation with immunotherapy and targeted therapy might work better together by activating your immune system and attacking the cancer in multiple ways at once.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 18 years or older
you have been newly diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (excluding nasopharyngeal cancer) without cancer spread to distant parts of your body
your cancer can be surgically removed according to your surgeon's evaluation
you are willing and able to have surgery
your heart, liver, kidney, and blood cell function are healthy enough to tolerate the treatment

You likely don't qualify if…

you have a history of other cancers (except skin cancers or early-stage cancers cured more than 5 years ago)
you have an active autoimmune disease requiring ongoing treatment
you have had previous treatment with immunotherapy drugs, targeted EGFR therapy, or cancer vaccines
you have serious heart disease, poorly controlled diabetes or high blood pressure, or lung problems like pneumonia or tuberculosis
you have active hepatitis B or C, HIV, or an active infection

What participation looks like

You would be randomly assigned to receive either the combination treatment (radiation plus two medications) or just the two medications. You would receive injections of the immunotherapy medication and take pills of the targeted therapy for about 6 weeks before your surgery. If assigned to the radiation group, you would receive low-dose radiation treatments twice during this period. After completing these treatments, you would have surgery to remove the cancer. The entire study involves regular clinic visits for monitoring and blood tests to check your health and how well the treatment is working.

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

Trial locations(1 site)

China

Department of Radiation Oncology, Chengdu, Sichuan