HN-BIO 02: A Phase II Randomized Study of the Effects of Delayed Elective Radiotherapy on Head and Neck MRI and Immune Response Biomarkers

NCT ID: NCT06487403

Last Updated: 2026-01-21

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

40 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-04-17

Study Completion Date

2028-08-01

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

This is a single centre prospective exploratory study of effects of radiation therapy on biomarker development in patients with newly diagnosed (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma) HNSCC receiving curative therapy. This research is part 2 of the HN-BIO study.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

This study will recruit up to 40 patients planned to receive curative (chemo) radiotherapy for (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma) HNSCC with primary tumor and/or involved lymph node suitable for repeat biopsy in clinic. After being informed about the study and potential risks, patients giving written informed consent will be randomized to receive conventional radiotherapy (single integrated boost or conventional two-phase at clinician discretion) or reversed two-phase treatment with delayed irradiation of elective nodal volumes. Patients will not be informed of their randomization result.

Patients in both arms will undergo a baseline functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan and within 72 hours, when possible, a biopsy of the primary tumor +/- lymph node will be performed in an out-patient clinic. If a suitable biopsy has been recently performed as part of diagnostic work up the baseline biopsy on study will be omitted when possible. In week 2 of radiotherapy, patients will have a second fMRI scan and a paired biopsy within 72 hours of the scan, where possible. A further optional biopsy and paired fMRI scan in week 4 will be considered for patients who are tolerating therapy without \>G1 toxicities. 16-24 hours prior to each biopsy the patient will take oral pimonidazole. At the time of each biopsy a blood draw will be performed.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Arm 1: Integrated Boost Radiotherapy

External beam radiotherapy 70Gy in 35 fractions to head and neck tumour and 56 Gy in 35 fraction to elective nodal regions. This will be given as single integrated boost or two-phase treatment at clinician discretion.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Standard of care external beam radiotherapy (single integrated boost)

Intervention Type RADIATION

70Gy in 35 fractions, 56 Gy in 35 fractions. Oral Pimonidazole 200 mg and 300 mg tablets.

Arm 2: Two Phase Radiotherapy

Standard of care external beam radiotherapy 70 Gy in 35 fractions to head and neck with delayed 40 Gy in 20 fractions to elective nodal regions. This will be given as reversed two-phase treatment.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Standard of care external beam radiotherapy (two-phase treatment)

Intervention Type RADIATION

70Gy in 35 fractions, delayed 40 Gy in 20 fractions. Oral Pimonidazole 200 mg and 300 mg tablets.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Standard of care external beam radiotherapy (single integrated boost)

70Gy in 35 fractions, 56 Gy in 35 fractions. Oral Pimonidazole 200 mg and 300 mg tablets.

Intervention Type RADIATION

Standard of care external beam radiotherapy (two-phase treatment)

70Gy in 35 fractions, delayed 40 Gy in 20 fractions. Oral Pimonidazole 200 mg and 300 mg tablets.

Intervention Type RADIATION

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Age \>/= 18 years
* Histologically proven Head and Neck Squamous Cell carcinoma
* Primary or nodal disease \> 3cm for biomarker imaging
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status 0-2
* Planned for curative surgery or (chemo)radiotherapy
* Willingness to undergo repeat MRI imaging
* Able to receive and understand verbal and written information regarding study and able to -give written informed consent
* Adequate renal function: Calculated creatinine clearance \>/= 30ml/min
* Be able to lie comfortably on back for 1 hour

Exclusion Criteria

* As judged by investigator evidence of systemic disease that makes unsuitable for study
* Contra-indication for serial MRI scans
* Previous solid tumor treated within last 5 years
* Pregnancy
* History of gadolinium contrast allergy
* Non-reversible clotting abnormality
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

University Health Network, Toronto

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

Canada

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Andrew McPartlin, MD

Role: CONTACT

416-946-2132

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Andrew McPartlin, MD

Role: primary

(416) 946-4501 x 4855

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

24-5510

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.