RecruitingPhase 1

A Study of Cemiplimab With Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy in People With Head and Neck Cancer

United States40 participantsStarted 2021-01-20

Plain-language summary

The purpose of this study is to find out whether combining the standard chemotherapy for head and neck cancer with the immunotherapy drugs cetuximab and cemiplimab (the study drug) is a safe treatment for head and neck cancer, and whether receiving this combination treatment before surgery may allow participants to forgo the standard radiation treatment after surgery.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Hemoglobin \> 9.0 g/dL
. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>1.5 x 10\^9/L
. Platelet count \>100 x 10\^9/L
. Serum creatinine \<1.5 upper limit of normal (ULN) or estimated creatinine clearance (CrCl) \>30 mL/min
. Adequate hepatic function:

Exclusion criteria

. Patients with known HIV infection who have controlled infection (undetectable viral load (HIV RNA PCR) and CD4 count above 350, either spontaneously or on a stable antiviral regimen) are permitted. For patients with controlled HIV infection monitoring will be performed per local standards

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Incidence of toxicities graded according to NCI CTCAE

Timeframe: 1 year

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04722523

SponsorMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-06-20

Contact for this trial

Lara Dunn, MD

646-608-3787 dunnl1@mskcc.org

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Head and Neck Cancer trials