Testing a new drug combination to help preserve voice in throat cancer

Plain-English translation of NCT07423078 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated April 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 adding a drug called to standard chemotherapy can help people with advanced throat cancer (laryngeal or hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma) respond better to treatment. The hope is that this medication will help more patients avoid total laryngeal removal surgery, which requires breathing through an opening in the neck for the rest of life, and instead use radiation therapy combined with this new treatment to preserve their ability to speak and swallow.

Right now, many patients with advanced throat cancer must have their entire larynx (voice box) surgically removed, followed by radiation therapy. This is a major surgery with serious side effects. However, doctors have noticed that patients whose tumors respond well to chemotherapy before surgery can do just as well with radiation therapy instead — keeping their voice. This trial is testing whether the new medication can help more patients achieve that strong response to treatment, so more people can avoid this surgery.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been newly diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (a specific type of cancer) of the larynx or hypopharynx and have not received any prior treatment for head and neck cancer
your cancer is stage III or IV and can potentially be treated with surgery and radiation therapy (meaning it has not spread to distant parts of your body)
you are in generally good health with an ECOG performance status of 0–2 (meaning you are well enough to handle the treatment)
you have normal organ and blood work function (specific blood tests for liver, kidney, and blood cell counts)
you are willing to use reliable birth control during treatment and for one year after, if you are sexually active

You likely don't qualify if…

you have received any prior treatment for head and neck cancer
your cancer cannot be surgically removed or has spread to distant organs
you have an active autoimmune disease requiring ongoing steroid or immunosuppressive medications (certain exceptions apply, such as treated psoriasis or hypothyroidism)
you have a history of lung inflammation (non-infectious pneumonitis) that required steroids or current evidence of interstitial lung disease
you have a known allergy or severe reaction to carboplatin, cisplatin, paclitaxel, or toripalimab

What participation looks like

You will first undergo imaging and a laryngoscopy exam to evaluate your cancer. Then you will receive two cycles of the new medication combined with chemotherapy, given intravenously every three weeks. After these two cycles, doctors will perform repeat imaging and throat exams to see how well your cancer responded. If your cancer responds well enough, you will continue with radiation therapy combined with additional doses of the medication over several months. The trial will monitor your swallowing function, cancer response, and overall health throughout treatment.

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

Trial locations(1 site)

United States

UPMC Hillman Cancer, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania