Medical Information Only. Always consult your healthcare provider before enrolling in any clinical trial.
Pembrolizumab & Cabozantinib in Patients With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
NCT03468218 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
This phase II trial studies how well pembrolizumab and cabozantinib in treating patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer that has come back or spread to other places in the body and cannot be removed by surgery. Monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Cabozantinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the pathways needed for cell growth. Giving pembrolizumab and cabozantinib may improve the chances of tumor response in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- BIOLOGICAL Pembrolizumab
- DRUG Cabozantinib
Study Locations (2)
Florida
- Moffitt Cancer Center — Tampa
Georgia
- Emory University Hospital Midtown — Atlanta
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 36 participants |
| Start Date | 2018-09-18 |
| Est. Completion | 2026-10-29 |
| Phase | Phase 2 |
Interested in This Trial?
Always speak with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.
Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT03468218
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT03468218 describes a study currently listed as active not recruiting. It is categorized as Phase 2, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 36 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Emory University, which has 1,434 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 10 conditions, with Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which Pembrolizumab is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT03468218 reports 2 study locations spanning 2 distinct geographic areas — top geographies include Florida, Georgia. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT03468218 about?
NCT03468218 is a clinical study titled "Pembrolizumab & Cabozantinib in Patients With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer". This phase II trial studies how well pembrolizumab and cabozantinib in treating patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer that has come back or spread to other places in the body and cannot be removed by surgery. Monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may interfere with the ability of ...
What is the current status of trial NCT03468218?
This trial is currently active not recruiting. It is a Phase 2 study. The enrollment target is 36 participants. The study started on 2018-09-18. Estimated completion is 2026-10-29.
What conditions does trial NCT03468218 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Recurrent Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Metastatic Head and Neck Carcinoma. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT03468218?
The interventions under investigation include: Pembrolizumab (BIOLOGICAL), Cabozantinib (DRUG). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT03468218?
This trial is sponsored by Emory University, which has 1,434 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT03468218 being conducted?
This trial has 2 study locations across Florida, Georgia. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
Learn More About Clinical Trials
How Clinical Trials Work
Understand phases 1-4, trial design, randomization, and the informed consent process.
Patient Rights in Clinical Trials
Your rights as a participant: consent, withdrawal, privacy, and who to contact.
Finding the Right Clinical Trial
A practical guide to searching trials, understanding eligibility, and evaluating options.
All Guides
Browse our complete library of clinical trial educational resources.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.