Phase 3 Head and Neck Cancer Trial, Recruiting

Written by an AI model from ClinicalTrials.gov eligibility criteria and checked on a sample basis. Please confirm against the original criteria.

Who might be able to join this trial:

• A biopsy or tissue test has confirmed a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (a type of cancer) in the head or neck area — not including cases where the original source of the cancer is unknown.
• Scans and imaging have confirmed the cancer is at a stage between IB and IVA (meaning it has not spread to distant parts of the body).
• A geriatric assessment (a structured health check for older adults) has returned a score of 3–5 on a specific scoring system called the CGA (confirm with trial site).
• The person has been reviewed by both a medical cancer specialist and a radiation cancer specialist.
• For people in the treatment group, the geriatric oncology team has determined that a combination of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation treatment is appropriate.
• The person is aged 65 or older.
• The person's general physical ability and daily functioning is rated at 2 or below on a standard medical scale (meaning they are at least able to care for themselves, even if not able to do all physical activity).
• Blood tests show that the liver, kidneys, and bone marrow are functioning at acceptable levels (confirm specific numbers with the trial site).
• People who are HIV-positive must be on effective treatment with no detectable virus in their blood for at least the past 6 months.
• People with a chronic hepatitis B infection must have an undetectable viral level while on appropriate treatment.
• People with a history of hepatitis C must have completed treatment and been cured, or — if still on treatment — must have no detectable virus in their blood.
• People with a history of another cancer may be eligible, provided that cancer or its treatment is not expected to interfere with this trial's results or safety assessments.
• People with a known heart condition must have had a heart function assessment, and that assessment must place them in Class 2B or better on a standard heart health scale.
• The person is willing and able to understand the trial and sign a consent form.

Who may not be able to join:

• People who have previously received a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy for head or neck cancer.
• People who have another illness that is not currently under control.
• People whose head or neck cancer has spread to the brain or other distant parts of the body (even if brain metastases have been treated).
• People receiving pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy drug) who have a history of severe autoimmune disease (a condition where the immune system attacks the body).

Important: Always verify eligibility with the trial site directly before applying.