This clinical trial is focused on studying a type of cancer called squamous cell carcinoma that affects the head and neck. This cancer can occur in areas such as the mouth, throat, and voice box. The study is specifically looking at cases that are locally advanced, meaning the cancer has spread to nearby tissues but not to distant parts of the body. The trial will compare different treatment options to see which is more effective. One treatment being tested is a combination of two medications, avelumab and cetuximab, along with radiotherapy. Avelumab is a type of medication known as an immunotherapy, which helps the body’s immune system fight cancer. Cetuximab is a targeted therapy that works by blocking the growth of cancer cells. The study will compare this combination to the standard treatment, which includes either cisplatin with radiotherapy or cetuximab with radiotherapy.

The purpose of the study is to determine if the new combination of avelumab and cetuximab with radiotherapy is better than the standard treatments in preventing the cancer from getting worse. Participants in the study will be randomly assigned to receive either the new combination treatment or one of the standard treatments. The study will monitor the participants over time to see how well the treatments work and to check for any side effects. The trial will also look at how the treatments affect the participants’ quality of life, including their ability to swallow and speak.

This study is important because it aims to find more effective treatments for people with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. By comparing the new combination treatment to the standard treatments, researchers hope to improve outcomes for patients with this type of cancer. The study will continue until the end of 2027, and the results will help guide future treatment options for this disease.