A new approach using pembrolizumab before surgery for advanced squamous cell carcinoma
Project 4: Neoadjuvant Clinical Trial with Pembrolizumab for Locally Advanaced Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
This study is exploring if giving the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab before surgery can help patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11187099 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are looking at how a medication called pembrolizumab works when given to patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma before they have surgery. This is a Phase II study, meaning we are testing the safety and effectiveness of this treatment strategy. Our goal is to see if this pre-surgical treatment can improve outcomes for patients who have not previously received PD-1 immunotherapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients with resectable locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma who have not previously received PD-1 immunotherapy.
Not a fit: Patients who have already received PD-1 immunotherapy or whose cancer is not locally advanced and resectable may not benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a new and more effective way to treat locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma by improving surgical outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Immunotherapy drugs like pembrolizumab have shown success in treating various cancers, and this study aims to build on that knowledge by testing its use in a neoadjuvant setting for this specific condition.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zarour, Hassane M — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Zarour, Hassane M
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.