Actively Recruiting
A Study of Decreasing Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy in People With Head and Neck Cancer
Led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · Updated on 2026-02-27
12
Participants Needed
6
Research Sites
234 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The purpose of this study is to test the treatment approach of de-escalated radiation and chemotherapy followed by a planned neck dissection surgery in people with head and neck cancer. The study will look at how effective the treatment approach is against participants' cancer.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
A Study of Decreasing Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy in People With Head and Neck Cancer
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck excluding nasopharynx, nasal cavity/paranasal sinus, oral cavity, salivary, thyroid, and cutaneous primaries
- Unknown primary head and neck SCC with radiographically detectable gross nodes allowed
- If primary site is oropharynx or unknown, p16 IHC must be negative; if hypopharynx or larynx, any p16 status accepted
- Clinical stage T0-3 N1-2C M0 (AJCC 7th edition) without distant metastasis
- 18 years of age or older
- No prior radiation therapy or chemotherapy for head and neck cancer
- Patients with primary tumor removed but residual grossly enlarged lymph nodes eligible
- Karnofsky Performance Status score of 70 or higher
- CT or MRI of the neck with and without contrast
- Adequate hematologic function within 30 days prior to registration
- Adequate renal function within 30 days prior to registration
- Adequate hepatic function within 30 days prior to registration
- Negative serum pregnancy test within 14 days prior to registration for women of childbearing potential
- Informed consent provided by subject or legally authorized representative
You will not qualify if you...
- Nasopharyngeal, nasal cavity/paranasal sinus, oral cavity, salivary gland, thyroid, and cutaneous primary malignancies
- Any T4 or N3 stage patients
- Prior radiotherapy to head and neck region
- Prior systemic chemotherapy for head and neck cancer
- Chemotherapy or radiotherapy within last three years
- Previous surgical resection for same disease except biopsy or primary tumor removal with residual lymph nodes
- Prior invasive malignancy unless disease free for 3 years or high cure rate
- Simultaneous primary cancers outside oropharynx unless approved by study investigators
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Severe active co-morbidities including recent unstable angina, heart failure hospitalization, recent myocardial infarction, active infections requiring IV antibiotics, recent severe respiratory illness, or hepatic insufficiency causing jaundice or coagulation issues
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 6 locations
1
Memorial Sloan Kettering at Basking Ridge (Limited Protocol Activities)
Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States, 07920
Actively Recruiting
2
Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth (Limited Protocol Activities)
Middletown, New Jersey, United States, 07748
Actively Recruiting
3
Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (Limited Protocol Activities)
Montvale, New Jersey, United States, 07645
Actively Recruiting
4
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center @ Suffolk-Commack (Limited protocol activities)
Commack, New York, United States, 11725
Actively Recruiting
5
Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester (Limited Protocol Activities)
Harrison, New York, United States, 10604
Actively Recruiting
6
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (All Protocol Activities)
New York, New York, United States, 10065
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
Z
Zeinab Abou Yehia, MD
CONTACT
E
Eric Sherman, MD
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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