Clinical Research Directory

Prophylactic Intervention for Dysgeusia in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Following Radio(Chemo)Therapy

Taste changes, also called dysgeusia, affect 56-76% of patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy (with or without chemotherapy). These taste changes can make eating difficult, lead to weight loss, and reduce quality of life. Despite how common and impactful this problem is, there are very few standardized tools in speech-language therapy to assess or prevent it. The aim of this study is to develop and test a preventive rehabilitation program for taste function. Eighty patients will be divided into two groups. The experimental group will receive a specific speech-language therapy intervention focused on taste for four weeks. This intervention includes: salivary gland massage to stimulate saliva production, internal cryotherapy to keep the mouth moist and improve sensitivity, and taste training using four basic tastes at different intensity levels. The effects of the intervention will be assessed before radiotherapy (with or without chemotherapy), at the end of treatment, and then 1, 3, 6 months, and 2 years after treatment. Assessment will include clinical tests, saliva measurements, taste detection and recognition tests, and quality-of-life questionnaires. This clinical intervention aims to detect taste changes early and prevent them, helping to improve patients' comfort and nutrition.

eHealth Support Tool to Improve Quality of Life in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors

This study evaluates the development, implementation and effectiveness of a nurse-led eHealth support tool designed to improve quality of life and survivorship outcomes among adults treated for head and neck cancer. The intervention integrates symptom monitoring, self-management education, and structured survivorship support into routine follow-up care. Outcomes will include patient-reported quality of life, symptom burden, and healthcare utilization.

Oral Herpesviruses and Oral Mucositis in Patients Receiving Head and Neck Radiotherapy

Patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancer often develop oral mucositis, a painful condition that causes redness and sores in the mouth. Oral mucositis can make it difficult to eat, drink, and speak, and may interfere with cancer treatment. Some viruses from the herpesvirus family, which commonly remain inactive in the body, may become active during cancer treatment and worsen mouth sores. However, the role of these viruses in oral mucositis is not fully understood. This study aims to understand whether herpesviruses present in the mouth are associated with the development and severity of oral mucositis in adults receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. The study also evaluates whether taking an antiviral medication (valacyclovir) can reduce viral activity and improve mouth symptoms during treatment. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either valacyclovir or a placebo while undergoing radiotherapy. Samples from the mouth and saliva are collected at different time points before, during, and after radiotherapy to detect herpesviruses. Mouth sores are regularly examined, and pain levels are recorded throughout treatment. The results of this study may help clarify the role of herpesviruses in oral mucositis and support better strategies to prevent or manage this condition in patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Access to Care Pilot for ED-Presenting Head and Neck Cancer Patients (ENRICH-HNC)

Patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer (HNC) after presenting to an emergency department (ED) often face significant delays in diagnosis and treatment. These patients are frequently younger, underinsured, and experience multiple socioeconomic and systems-level barriers to accessing timely cancer care. Delays of more than 30 days have been associated with worse outcomes, including higher recurrence rates and reduced survival. This pilot study will evaluate the feasibility and early impact of a community-based navigation program designed to improve access to timely care for ED-presenting HNC patients. The study embeds trained Community Health Support Specialists (CHSS) from the Engaging Navigators to Reduce Inequities in Cancer Health (ENRICH) program into the ED-to-treatment pathway. After ED discharge, CHSS staff will contact participants by telephone or text message to identify barriers to care-such as transportation, insurance, housing, or communication challenges-and connect them with appropriate community or institutional resources. All participants will receive the CHSS navigation intervention. Outcomes will be compared with a historical cohort of similar ED-presenting HNC patients treated prior to program implementation. The primary outcomes are time from ED discharge to diagnostic biopsy and time from ED discharge to initiation of definitive treatment. Secondary outcomes include feasibility, measured as the proportion of participants who complete CHSS navigation, and exploratory analyses of the types of barriers identified and resolved. Findings from this pilot will generate preliminary data to inform larger studies aimed at improving access, reducing disparities, and accelerating treatment for head and neck cancer patients who first present in the emergency setting.

Effects of Far Infrared Rays and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Short Term Prognosis of Head and Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Curative Treatment

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether far-infrared therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can improve postoperative side effects in patients with head and neck cancer. The main questions this study aims to answer are: Can far-infrared therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation reduce pain and improve neck range of motion? Can far-infrared therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation reduce inflammation? Researchers will compare three groups: Group A: control group; Group B: transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; Group C: far-infrared therapy combined with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, to evaluate differences in pain, neck range of motion, and inflammation. Participants will receive the assigned intervention in the morning and evening for five consecutive days. Outcome measurements will be conducted on the first and fifth days.

Observational Basket Trial to Collect Tissue to Develop and Train a Live Tumor Diagnostic Platform

The primary objective of this study is to develop and train the Elephas live tumor diagnostic platform and determine the ex-vivo accuracy of the Elephas Score using in-vivo RECIST 1.1 as the reference method

A Study to Assess Safety, Tolerability and Imaging Characteristics of [68Ga]Ga-DPI-4452 and to Assess Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of [177Lu]Lu-DPI-4452 in Participants With Unresectable Locally Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors

The main purpose of Part A of the study is to evaluate safety, tolerability and tracer uptake after a single intravenous (IV) administration of \[68Ga\]Ga-DPI-4452 for each tumor type such as clear cell renal cell cancer (ccRCC), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and colorectal cancer (CRC); Part B: is to determine the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) \[maximum tolerated dose (MTD) or lower dose\] for \[177Lu\]Lu-DPI-4452 for each tumor type such as ccRCC, PDAC, CRC, and urothelial carcinoma (UC); Part C: is to evaluate the preliminary antitumor activity of \[177Lu\]Lu-DPI-4452 as monotherapy for each tumor type such as ccRCC, PDAC, CRC, and UC; Part D: is to assess the diagnostic concordance between \[68Ga\]Ga-DPI-4452 Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and the histopathology result of the Indeterminate Renal Mass (IDRM); Part E: is to assess \[68Ga\]Ga-DPI-4452 uptake in each tumour type such as UC, muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), head and neck cancer (H\&N), triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and any other tumor with locally confirmed carbonic anhydrase (CA) IX expression except ccRCC, CRC and PDAC.