Pembrolizumab + Radiation vs Chemotherapy + Radiation for Head and Neck Cancer
Trial Summary
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you must not be on immunosuppressive medication within 7 days before starting the trial, except for certain types like low-dose steroids or specific premedications.
Research shows that pembrolizumab, when combined with radiation, can stimulate the immune system to fight head and neck cancer. It has been effective in treating recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer and is being studied for use in locally advanced cases, showing promise in early trials.
12345Pembrolizumab, when used with radiation or chemotherapy, has been generally considered safe for head and neck cancer patients, though it can cause serious side effects like pneumonia, liver inflammation, and thyroid issues. In studies, most patients experienced mild side effects, but some had more severe reactions like anemia and high blood pressure.
15678Pembrolizumab is unique because it is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that helps the body's immune system attack cancer cells by blocking the PD-1 pathway, and it is being studied in combination with radiation and chemotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer, offering a potential alternative for patients who cannot tolerate cisplatin.
12459Eligibility Criteria
Adults aged 18-79 with recurrent or second primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, who've had surgery and prior radiation, can join this trial. They must have no distant disease spread, a specific protein (PD-L1) score >=1, and proper organ function. Those with severe allergies to pembrolizumab, active infections requiring systemic treatment, recent live vaccines, certain heart conditions or transplants are excluded.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Participant Groups
- Ovarian cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Lung cancer
- Head and neck cancer
- Brain cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Small cell lung cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Small cell lung cancer
- Testicular cancer