Actively Recruiting
First Line Weekly Chemo/Immunotherapy for Metastatic Head/Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients
Led by Wake Forest University Health Sciences · Updated on 2026-03-24
32
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
374 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
W
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Lead Sponsor
N
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The purpose of this research is to see what effects the treatment regimen chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) plus immunotherapy (pembrolizumab), has on patients who have been diagnosed with head/neck squamous cell carcinoma and are unable to take the drug 5-fluorouracil
CONDITIONS
Official Title
First Line Weekly Chemo/Immunotherapy for Metastatic Head/Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, or neck node with occult primary suspected to be non-cutaneous head/neck cancer, incurable by local therapies
- Histologic or cytologic confirmation of malignancy by pathology report
- Not a candidate for infusional 5-fluorouracil due to mucositis, inability to use 5-day infusional pump, patient refusal, or other reasons
- 18 years old or older
- ECOG performance status of 0 to 2
- Life expectancy greater than 3 months
- Normal organ and marrow function: absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,000/mcL, platelets ≥ 75,000/mcL, total bilirubin ≤ 2 mg/dL
- Ability and willingness to sign an IRB-approved informed consent document (self or legally authorized representative)
You will not qualify if you...
- No prior systemic cancer-directed therapy in the recurrent or metastatic setting; prior treatments allowed if given with curative intent before incurable progression
- Untreated, symptomatic central nervous system metastases
- Active autoimmune disease requiring systemic immunosuppression
- History of autoimmune pneumonitis requiring high-dose systemic steroids
- History of grade 3 or higher hypersensitivity to carboplatin or paclitaxel
- Uncontrolled illnesses including active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric/social conditions limiting study compliance
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women due to potential risks from study drugs
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Wake Forest Baptist Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States, 27157
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Study Coordinator
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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