Pembrolizumab with or without targeted radiation for head and neck cancer in few sites
Tests adding targeted radiation to pembrolizumab in adults with head and neck cancer.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Pembrolizumab and Radiotherapy for Oligometastatic Head and Neck Cancer
Key facts
- Where
- Badalona, Barakaldo, Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Las Palmas De Gran Canaria, and Madrid, SpainSee the 9 sites
- Phase
- Phase 3
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults with head and neck squamous cell cancer that has spread to 1 to 5 places. It tests adding focused radiotherapy (SABR) to pembrolizumab.
- Age
- 18 years or older
- Sex
- All sexes can join
- Disease stage
- Squamous cell cancer of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx or larynx (or an unknown neck primary) with 1-5 metastases, all treatable with SABR. Measurable disease and ECOG performance status 0 to 1 are needed.
- Earlier treatment
- The person must be able to have first-line systemic treatment and pembrolizumab. Any radical treatment of the primary tumour or neck nodes must be finished before joining. Side effects of earlier treatment must have settled to grade 1 or lower.
- Biomarker or test result
- PD-L1 CPS of at least 1, tested locally. For oropharyngeal cancer, HPV status by p16 testing is needed.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Cancer of the nasopharynx, sino-nasal area or salivary glands
- Brain metastases only
- Lesions larger than 6 cm (2.4 in) outside the brain
- Growth within the treated area less than 6 months after earlier radiotherapy to the head and neck
- Joined a trial of an investigational drug or device in the 4 weeks before the first dose
Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
Where in Spain
- Hospital Germans Trias i PujolBadalona, SpainTaking people
- Institut Catala d'OncologiaBadalona, SpainTaking people
- Hospital Universitario de CrucesBarakaldo, SpainTaking people
- Hospital Universitari Vall d'HebronBarcelona, SpainTaking people
- Institut Catala D'oncologiaL'Hospitalet de Llobregat, SpainTaking people
- El Hospital Universitario De Gran Canaria Dr. NegrinLas Palmas De Gran Canaria, SpainTaking people
- Hospital Clínico San CarlosMadrid, SpainTaking people
- Hospital Universitario 12 de OctubreMadrid, SpainTaking people
- Hospital Universitario Ramón y CajalMadrid, SpainTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer - EORTC
- Trial code
- NCT05815927EU 2023-504478-39-00
- Record updated
- 28 May 2026
- Original description
This is a randomized open-label multicentre phase III superiority study of the effect of adding SABR to the standard of care treatment pembrolizumab on progression free survival in patients with oligometastases of a squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), histological confirmation of the primary disease at first diagnosis, and PD-L1 CPS ≥1. After eligibility check and signing informed consent, all patients will be prospectively enrolled in a 1:1 ratio between current standard of care treatment (pembrolizumab, Arm 1) vs. SABR + standard of care treatment (Arm 2) to oligometastases.Read full original descriptionShow less
Pembrolizumab and Radiotherapy for OLigometastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: a Randomized Phase III Study
This is a randomized open-label multicentre phase III superiority study of the effect of adding SABR to the standard of care treatment pembrolizumab on progression free survival in patients with oligometastases of a squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), histological confirmation of the primary disease at first diagnosis, and PD-L1 CPS ≥1. After eligibility check and signing informed consent, all patients will be prospectively enrolled in a 1:1 ratio between current standard of care treatment (pembrolizumab, Arm 1) vs. SABR + standard of care treatment (Arm 2) to oligometastases.
Any radical treatment to the synchronous primary/ recurrent primary tumor and/or involved cervical nodes (surgery or radiotherapy), as decided by the local tumor board/ treating physicians, should be completed prior to enrolment.Surgical removal of metastases is allowed for diagnostic purposes or for brain metastases, as long as these metastases count toward the total number of 5 and at least one metastasis is left for treatment with SABR. Such surgical procedures should be performed prior to enrolment.
Main inclusion Criteria:; Male/female participants who are at least 18 years of age on the day of signing informed consent; Histologically confirmed HNSCC of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx or cervical primary occult and histologically or radiologically confirmed oligometastatic disease. Histological characterization of one metastatic lesion is strongly recommended; Patients with synchronous or metachronous oligometastatic disease according to the ESTRO/EORTC consensus (1-5 metastatic lesions, with or without primary/recurrent primary tumour and/or regional disease); Amenable to first-line systemic treatment for R/M SCCHN; For patients with oropharyngeal cancer: HPV status using p16 IHC evaluated locally; PD-L1 CPS of at least 1 as evaluated locally; Staging not older than 12 weeks before enrolment; All the 1-5 metastases must be amenable to SABR; Eligible for treatment with pembrolizumab; Have measurable disease based on RECIST 1.1; ECOG performance status of 0 to 1; Participants must have recovered from all treatment-related toxicities to baseline or grade ≤1, such as from previous radiotherapy, systemic treatment or surgery, and not requiring corticosteroids for managing treatment-related side effects; Adequate Organ Function Laboratory Values; Before patient registration/enrolment, written informed consent must be given according to ICH/GCP, and national/local regulations; Main exclusion Criteria:; Nasopharynx, sino-nasal, and salivary gland cancers are excluded; In-field progression in < 6 months after curative intended locoregional irradiation of the head and neck; Lesions larger than 6 cm in the largest dimension as measured in the diagnostic CT or MRI scan for lesions outside the brain. Note: bone metastases over 6 cm may be included if in the opinion of the local radiation oncologist they can be treated safely and no inner organ is affected; Brain metastases only; Has received any previous radiotherapy to any of the 1-5 metastases that would be subject to SABR in the experimental arm unless the investigator agrees to treat only after discussion with the RTQA team; Is currently participating in or has participated in a study of an investigational agent or has used an investigational device within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of study intervention; Previously treated brain metastases that are radiologically non-stable. Patients with previously treated brain metastases, i.e., without evidence of progression for at least 4 weeks by repeat imaging, clinically stable and without requirement of steroid treatment for at least 14 days prior to first dose of study intervention, can participate; Known contraindication to imaging tracer or any product of contrast media and MRI contraindications.