Also known as: oral head and neck cancer
Clinical trials show a pancreatic cancer drug nearly doubles survival, a head-and-neck therapy shrinks tumors, and new research explains drug resistance. Cancer mortality is falling in the US and UK.
Dosing has begun in a Phase 1 trial of ZI-MA4-1, the first MAGE-A4-targeting TCR-NK cell therapy for solid tumours, with initial data expected from mid-2026. The off-the-shelf therapy is being evaluated at two UK sites.
AI identified rectal cancer patients who benefit from adding irinotecan to chemoradiotherapy, cutting recurrence and death risk. Separate research finds most online AI-cancer information is low quality and too complex for patients.
CEL-SCI plans to start patient enrollment in summer 2026 for a 212-patient U.S. registration study of its cancer immunotherapy Multikine, with the goal of seeking early accelerated approval. The company is also advancing a strategic partnership with Saudi Amarox to commercialize Multikine in Saudi Arabia, where it has submitted a Breakthrough Medicine Designation application. These initiatives build on Phase 3 data showing Multikine improved 5-year survival in head and neck cancer patients from 45% to 73%.
Three trials show ultra-low-dose checkpoint inhibitors retain efficacy with reduced toxicity and dramatically lower costs. DELII and Patil et al. trials tested low-dose nivolumab in solid tumors and HNSCC; NIVIPIT tested intratumoral low-dose ipilimumab in melanoma.
CEL-SCI said it expects to begin summer 2026 enrollment in a 212-patient U.S. confirmatory registration study of Multikine in head and neck cancer. The company also said it submitted a Breakthrough Medicine Designation application in Saudi Arabia and reported quarterly net loss of $5.5 million.
GeoVax is advancing Gedeptin toward a Phase 2 trial in head and neck cancer and has secured an exclusive license from Emory University for Gedeptin-ICI combination technology. The therapy has Orphan Drug Designation for oral and pharyngeal cancers.
A novel therapeutic vaccine using structural nanomedicine principles has shown promising results against HPV-driven cancers in preclinical models. The spherical nucleic acid vaccine design significantly slowed tumor growth and extended survival by generating potent T-cell responses. Unlike preventive HPV vaccines, this approach is designed to treat established cancers caused by the virus.
Immunotherapy is increasingly used in earlier cancer stages before or after surgery across seven tumor areas. Research shows neoadjuvant and adjuvant immunotherapy can reduce recurrence risk and improve immune recognition of tumor cells. However, challenges remain including side effects, costs, and determining which patients benefit most from earlier treatment.
The U.S. FDA has granted Fast Track designation to FluoGuide's FG001 as an intraoperative imaging agent for high-grade glioma surgical resection. The designation follows IND clearance in January and enables accelerated development and regulatory review.
| NCT ID | Title | Status | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07770100 |
Concurrent Immunotherapy and Systemic Therapy With Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Stage IV Cancers (COINSSS IV) |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
| NCT07766889 |
Neoadjuvant Presurgical Becotatug Vedotin (MRG003) Plus Pucotenlimab (HX008) in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
| NCT07759193 |
Energy Expenditure Assessment in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Treated With Free Flap Surgery |
RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07752875 |
A Study of LG00313112 in Participants With Advanced Solid Malignancies Harboring a TP53 Y220C Mutation |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE1/PHASE2 |
| NCT07741643 |
Study Evaluating the Safety and Feasibility of Panitumumab-IRDye800 and [18F]NOTA-ABY-030 for Targeted Dual-Modality Imaging (TDMI) in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE1 |
| NCT07732686 |
Analysis of Breath Volatile Organic Compounds Using Mass Spectrometry |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | |
| NCT07732634 |
RiMO-HNC-NEO1: Phase 2 Study of RiMO-301 and Hypofractionated Radiotherapy With Pembrolizumab for the Neoadjuvant Treatment of Resectable, Locally Advanced Head-Neck Cancer |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
| NCT07726407 |
SGRT in Head and Neck Cancer Radiotherapy |
RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07712120 |
Brief Clinical Psychological Intervention With Biofeedback in Head and Neck Cancer |
RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07694726 |
Preventing Lymphedema in Patients Undergoing Surgical Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer Through Vein Reconstruction |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
