Testing What Happens When an Immunotherapy Drug (Pembrolizumab) is Given by Itself Compared to the Usual Treatment of Chemotherapy With Radiation After Surgery for Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Summary

This phase II trial studies the effect of pembrolizumab alone compared to the usual approach (chemotherapy [cisplatin and carboplatin] plus radiation therapy) after surgery in treating patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that has come back (recurrent) or patients with a second head and neck cancer that is not from metastasis (primary). Radiation therapy uses high energy radiation or protons to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Cisplatin is in a class of medications known as platinum-containing compounds. It works by killing, stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells.

Shortened from the sponsor's brief summary. View official record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Conditions studied

• Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Recurrent Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Recurrent Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Recurrent Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Recurrent Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Eligibility basics and study details

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Ages

18 to 79 years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

Sponsor

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Last updated on ClinicalTrials.gov

October 14, 2026

These are the basic criteria only. The full inclusion and exclusion criteria are on the official record, and the study team decides who can take part.

US recruiting sites