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NCT03215719 · NYU Langone Health

Adaptive Treatment De-escalation in Favorable Risk HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal Carcinoma

What this study is about

This is a phase II clinical trial. The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of deescalating chemoradiation treatment based on mid-treatment tumor response determined by rapid nodal shrinkage and clearance of circulating HPV plasma tumor DNA . The primary objective of this study is to evaluate time without the disease getting worse at 2 years.

View original scientific description

This is a phase II clinical trial. The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of deescalating chemoradiation treatment based on mid-treatment tumor response determined by rapid nodal shrinkage and clearance of circulating HPV plasma tumor DNA . The primary objective of this study is to evaluate progression-free survival at 2 years.

Interventions

RADIATION

Standard Radiation Treatment

An interval scan at 4 weeks to assess for a good response defined as \>40% nodal shrinkage will stratify patients into receiving standard treatment (≤40% nodal shrinkage) or a dose-deescalated treatment regimen (\>40% nodal shrinkage). Those with nodal shrinkage and clearance of circulating plasma HPV DNA shall undergo further treatment de-escalation.

RADIATION

Dose-Deescalated Treatment

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is an advanced type of radiation therapy used to treat cancer and noncancerous tumors. IMRT uses advanced technology to manipulate photon and proton beams of radiation to conform to the shape of a tumor. Patients will be treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with megavoltage photons

DRUG

Cisplatinum

Standard of care chemotherapy

Primary outcome measures

Progression-free survival at 2 years

Time frame: 2 Years

The non-inferiority (NI) analysis will be conducted on the pooled de-escalated cohort (Arms 3+4 combined) to evaluate whether the 2-year PFS is acceptable relative to the historical benchmark. For Arm 3 and Arm 4 separately, Kaplan-Meier curves and 2-year PFS estimates with 95% confidence intervals will be provided. Patients who do not experience progression of disease and have not died will be censored on the date of last follow up.

Who can participate

This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.

Inclusion criteria

  • Pathologically (histologically or cytologically) proven diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, which include the sites tonsil, base of tongue, soft palate, or posterior oropharyngeal wall. Histologic variants will be included (papillary squamous cell carcinoma and basaloid squamous cell carcinoma). Cytologic diagnosis from a cervical lymph node is sufficient in the presence of clinical evidence of a primary tumor in the oropharynx.
  • If the primary site is biopsied, Patient's tissue must be positive for p16 by immunohistochemical staining (\>70% staining). Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy specimens may be used as the sole diagnostic tissue if formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cell block material is not available for p16 immunohistochemistry.
  • Patients must have detectable HPV ctDNA Score Report at Screening or have a detectable baseline HPV ctDNA Score Report (Naveris test) if no primary site is biopsied. Must have detectable screening plasma HPV DNA (also referred to as ctHPV DNA).
  • Clinical stage T1-T3, N1-N2b (AJCC 7th Edition) with no distant metastases based on the following diagnostic workup:
  • Fiberoptic exam with laryngopharyngoscopy (mirror and/or fiberoptic and/or direct procedure) within 8 weeks prior to registration.
  • One of the following combinations of imaging is required within 8 weeks of registration:
  • CT scan of the neck (with contrast) and a PET/CT of neck and chest (with or without contrast);
  • Or an MRI of the neck (with contrast) and a PET/CT of neck and chest (with or without contrast)
  • Note: A CT scan of the neck and/or a PET/CT performed for the purposes of radiation planning may serve as both staging and planning tools.
  • Patients must provide their personal smoking history prior to registration. Patients cannot have a cumulative personal smoking history that exceeds 10 pack-years.
  • Number of pack-years = \[Frequency of smoking (number of cigarettes per day) x duration of cigarette smoking (years)\] / 20
  • Note: Twenty cigarettes is considered equivalent to one pack. Cigar and pipe tobacco consumption is not included in calculating lifetime pack-years.
  • Zubrod Performance Status of 0-1 within 8 weeks prior to registration;
  • Adequate hematologic function within 2 weeks prior to registration, defined as follows: Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,500 cells/mm3; Platelets ≥ 100,000 cells/mm3; Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 g/dl; Note: the use of transfusion or other intervention to achieve Hgb ≥ 8.0 g/dl is acceptable.
  • Adequate renal function within 2 weeks prior to registration, defined as follows: a.Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dl or creatinine clearance (CC) ≥ 50 ml/min determined by 24 hour collection or estimated by Cockcorft-Gault formula: i.CCr male = \[(140 - age) x (wt in kg)\] \[(Serum Cr mg/dl) x (72)\] ii.CCr female = 0.85 x (CrCl male)
  • Negative serum pregnancy test within 14 days prior to registration for women of childbearing potential;
  • Patients who are HIV positive but who have no prior AIDS-defining illness and have CD4 cells of at least 350/mm3 are eligible. HIV-positive patients must not have multi-drug resistant HIV infection or other concurrent AIDS-defining conditions. Patients must not be sero-positive for Hepatitis B (Hepatitis B surface antigen positive or anti-hepatitis B core antigen positive) or sero-positive for Hepatitis C (anti-Hepatitis C antibody positive). However, patients who are immune to hepatitis B (anti-Hepatitis B surface antibody positive) are eligible (e.g. patients immunized against hepatitis B).
  • The patient must provide study-specific informed consent prior to study entry.

Exclusion criteria

  • Missing or undetectable baseline plasma HPV DNA level
  • Cancers considered to be from an oral cavity site (oral tongue, floor of mouth, alveolar ridge, buccal or lip), or the nasopharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx, even if p16 positive;
  • Carcinoma of the neck of unknown primary site origin (even if p16 positive);
  • Distant metastasis or adenopathy below the clavicles;
  • Gross total excision of both primary and nodal disease; this includes tonsillectomy, local excision of primary site, and nodal excision that removes all clinically and radiographically evident disease.
  • Simultaneous primary cancers or separate bilateral primary tumor sites;
  • Prior invasive malignancy (except non-melanomatous skin cancer) unless disease free for a minimum of 1095 days (3 years) (for example, carcinoma in situ of the breast, oral cavity, or cervix are all permissible);
  • Prior systemic chemotherapy for the study cancer; note that prior chemotherapy for a different cancer is allowable;
  • Prior radiotherapy to the region of the study cancer that would result in overlap of radiation therapy fields;
  • Severe, active co-morbidity defined as follows:
  • Unstable angina and/or congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization within the last 6 months;
  • Transmural myocardial infarction within the last 6 months;
  • Acute bacterial or fungal infection intravenous antibiotics at the time of registration;
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation or other respiratory illness requiring hospitalization or precluding study therapy within 30 days of registration;
  • Hepatic insufficiency resulting in clinical jaundice and/or coagulation defects; note, however, that laboratory tests for liver function and coagulation parameters are not required for entry into this protocol other than those listed in 4.1.10.
  • Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) based upon the current CDC definition with immune compromise greater than that noted in section 4.1.12; note, however, that HIV testing is not required for entry into this protocol. The need to exclude patients with AIDS from this protocol is necessary because the treatments involved in this protocol may be significantly immunosuppressive. Protocol-specific requirements may also exclude immune-compromised patients.
  • Pregnancy; this exclusion is necessary because the treatment in this study may be significantly teratogenic
  • Prior allergic reaction to cisplatin.
  • Electrical implants such as cardiac pacemakers or perfusion pumps
  • Ferromagnetic implants such as aneurysm clips, surgical clips, prostheses, artificial heart, valves with steel parts, metal fragments, shrapnel, bullets, tattoos near the eye, or steel implants
  • Ferromagnetic objects such as jewelry or metal clips in clothing
  • Claustrophobia
  • History of seizures
  • Patients with GFR \< 15 ml/min/1.73m2 or who are on dialysis will not have DCE-MRI scan. These patients will have conventional anatomical MRI without contrast.

Where

  • New York, New York

Related conditions & keywords

Oropharyngeal CarcinomaHPV Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell CarcinomaRadiation Therapy

Frequently asked questions

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.

Is it safe to participate?

Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.

Will I be compensated?

Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.

Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?

When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.

Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?

Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

How long does a clinical trial last?

Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.

Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jan 6, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations

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1 of 120 participants interested
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What participation can include

  • Study-related care provided by the research team
  • Close monitoring by medical professionals
  • Possible compensation for time and travel*
  • The option to withdraw at any time
  • Contributing to medical research that may help future patients

*Compensation varies by study. Confirm details with coordinator.

Typical next steps

  1. 1.Submit this form
  2. 2.Phone screening
  3. 3.In-person assessment if eligible
  4. 4.Begin participation

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Oropharyngeal Carcinoma Treatment Options in New York, New York

If you're searching for Oropharyngeal Carcinoma treatment in New York, participating in a clinical research study may provide access to innovative approaches under expert medical supervision. This study is actively recruiting participants in New York and surrounding areas.

Clinical trials offer participants the opportunity to receive cutting-edge treatments while contributing to medical research that may help future patients with Oropharyngeal Carcinoma. All study-related care is provided at no cost to participants.

Local Sites
1 locations in New York
Now Enrolling
Up to 120 participants
Quick Start
Screening available now

Why Consider a Clinical Trial for Oropharyngeal Carcinoma?

Potential Benefits

  • Access to new treatment approaches before public availability
  • Close monitoring by experienced medical professionals
  • Study-related care provided at no cost
  • Contribute to medical research for Oropharyngeal Carcinoma

What to Expect

  • Initial screening to determine eligibility
  • Regular check-ups and monitoring visits
  • Possible compensation for time and travel
  • You can withdraw at any time

Frequently Asked Questions About This Oropharyngeal Carcinoma Study

Important Clinical Trial Information

This information is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical trial participation involves potential risks and benefits. Eligibility requirements apply and will be assessed during the screening process.

Study identifier: NCT03215719. For complete study details, visit ClinicalTrials.gov. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making decisions about your medical care or participating in clinical research.