Head & Neck Cancer

The RASolute 302 study of daraxonrasib was “the single biggest study presentation” at ASCO 2026, according to Sivraj Muralikrishnan, MD.

Catch up on major clinical trials reshaping treatment for brain metastases, Merkel cell carcinoma, cervical cancer, and head and neck cancer, all from ASCO 2026.

Efficacy with carboplatin-based induction-concurrent chemotherapy was noninferior to cisplatin, representing a viable alternative for patients with LA-NPC.

Triple-oral metronomic chemotherapy plus nivolumab elicited a median OS of 10.32 months in this head and neck squamous cell carcinoma population.

Investigators are currently evaluating emiltatug ledadotin among patients with different solid tumors in a phase 1 trial.

According to the developers, the agency’s decision could accelerate and expand the registration pathway for JNJ-1900 in head and neck cancer.

Heath Skinner, MD, PhD, discussed current standards for radiotherapy in head and neck cancers and highlighted multidisciplinary collaboration within UPMC.

According to the phase 3 TORPEdO investigators, where IMPT is not used routinely for OPSCC, IMRT remains the standard of care.

Berzosertib plus cisplatin and radiotherapy did not meet the preliminary efficacy end point of complete response rate in this head and neck cancer group.

Jason Molitoris, MD, PhD, discussed 2025 data on proton therapy for oropharyngeal cancer, highlighting immune preservation and reduced long-term AEs.

Findings from the phase 1b/2 OrigAMI-4 trial support the regulatory decision for this regimen in this advanced head and neck cancer population.

Although many clinical trials end due to strategic reasons, easing inclusion criteria and reducing potential operational failure may mitigate terminations.

The safety profile of amivantamab was consistent with previous reports in this HNSCC population, with no new signals reported.

A total of 10.9% of patients experienced grade 5 AEs, yet no treatment-related deaths were reported with the nivolumab-based regimen in this HNSCC group.

Data from the phase 2/3 AHEAD-MERIT trial support the FDA decision for this head and neck cancer population.

Overall survival significantly improved with radiation plus cisplatin/paclitaxel in the phase 2 RTOG 9911 trial over a historical control cohort.

A total of 18% of patients with non-ACC metastatic salivary gland carcinoma treated with elraglusib and cisplatin achieved a response in a phase 2 study.

The phase 3 KEYNOTE-689 trial showed a median EFS of 59.7 months with the pembrolizumab regimen in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The BURAN trial revealed no overall survival benefit for buparlisib and paclitaxel in recurrent head and neck cancer, despite some response rate improvements.

Data from the BL-B01D1-301 study support iza-bren as a potential standard of care for pretreated recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The investigator-evaluated ORR was 39.0% among those treated for recurrent/metastatic HNSCC, and the CR and PR rates were 9.8% and 29.3%, respectively.

A median OS of 21.3 months was found in the phase 1/1b trial evaluating ficerafusp alfa plus pembrolizumab in those with metastatic and recurrent HNSCC.

Regarding feeding tube use and weight loss, patients with oropharyngeal cancer treated with proton beam therapy or IMRT saw similar results.

The agency has recommended approval for subcutaneous pembrolizumab in all previous solid tumor indications, and for pembrolizumab in recurrent HNSCC.

Enhancing patient adherence to follow-up care for leukoplakia through habit cessation counseling and patient information leaflets may reduce oral cancer risks.