Ongoing Clinical Trials for Pharyngeal Cancer Stage II
Currently, there is 1 ongoing clinical trial for pharyngeal cancer stage II, focusing on a combined approach using low-dose radiation therapy with chemotherapy drugs paclitaxel and carboplatin. This trial is being conducted in Poland and aims to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of this treatment approach for patients with advanced throat and larynx cancer.
Clinical trial locations
Study of low-dose radiation therapy combined with paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with advanced throat and larynx cancer
This clinical trial is testing a treatment approach that combines low-dose radiation therapy with chemotherapy for patients with advanced throat and larynx cancer. The study is being conducted in Poland and will continue monitoring patients until December 2028.
Main inclusion criteria:
- Patients must have advanced cancer of the throat or larynx that has not been previously treated
- The cancer must be at a specific stage with lymph node involvement larger than 2 cm, or N2 or N3 stage, and tumor size classified as T2, T3, or T4
- The cancer must not have spread to distant parts of the body
- Patients must be between 18 and 65 years old
- Patients must be healthy enough to receive chemotherapy and not have other serious medical conditions that would prevent treatment
- Both men and women can participate
Main exclusion criteria:
- Age below 18 years or above 65 years
- Cancer that has spread to other parts of the body
- Previous radiation therapy treatment in the head and neck area
- Significant heart problems, severe kidney or liver dysfunction, or uncontrolled diabetes
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active infections, weakened immune system, or autoimmune diseases
- Known allergies to the study medications
- Mental conditions that prevent understanding of trial requirements or inability to follow study procedures
Focus and goal of the trial:
The main goal of this study is to determine how effective and well-tolerated a combined treatment approach is when using lower doses of radiation than typically used. The trial evaluates what is called induction radiochemotherapy, which means it is given as an initial treatment before any other therapies.
The treatment involves receiving both chemotherapy medications and low-dose radiation therapy over a period of up to 37 days. During the study, doctors will monitor how the cancer responds to treatment by examining whether it shrinks, checking if it has spread, and tracking overall patient survival. The research will also investigate how low doses of radiation affect the body at molecular and biochemical levels.
Throughout the treatment period, the medical team will carefully watch for and record any side effects that patients may experience. Follow-up assessments will continue long-term to check if the cancer returns and to monitor overall health and recovery.
Investigational drugs being tested:
The trial uses two chemotherapy medications delivered through an intravenous line directly into the bloodstream:
- Paclitaxel – A chemotherapy drug that works by interfering with cancer cell division
- Carboplatin – A chemotherapy drug that damages cancer cell DNA to prevent growth and division
These medications are used together with low-dose radiation therapy, which uses ionizing radiation in carefully controlled amounts to target and destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. The combination approach aims to make cancer cells more sensitive to radiation and help destroy them more effectively.
Summary
Currently, there is only one ongoing clinical trial specifically for pharyngeal cancer stage II, taking place in Poland. This trial focuses on evaluating a combined treatment approach using low-dose radiation therapy with the chemotherapy drugs paclitaxel and carboplatin. The study is designed to assess both the effectiveness and tolerability of this treatment method for patients with advanced throat and larynx cancer who have not received previous treatment.
The trial is notable for its use of lower radiation doses than standard protocols, which may potentially reduce side effects while maintaining treatment effectiveness. The study includes comprehensive long-term monitoring until 2028 to track patient outcomes, cancer response, and any potential return of the disease.
