Imaging hypoxia in head and neck cancer for personalized treatment

Novel Hypoxia Imaging for Head and Neck Cancer: Imaging Phenotype for Personalized Treatment

University of Utah · NCT06108089

This study is testing a new way to use MRI scans to find low-oxygen areas in head and neck cancer patients to help create personalized treatment plans that could improve their response to therapy.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Utah (other)
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation
Locations1 site (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Trial IDNCT06108089 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to identify hypoxic features in patients with head and neck cancer using multiparametric hypoxia MRI. By correlating these imaging results with treatment responses assessed through FDG-PET scans, the study seeks to develop a hypoxia phenotype that can inform personalized treatment plans. The research will gather pilot data to measure the distribution of hypoxia MR parameters and their association with outcomes following chemoradiotherapy. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance treatment planning and predict responses to therapy in newly diagnosed patients.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include newly diagnosed patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma scheduled for chemoradiotherapy or surgery.

Not a fit: Patients with prior treatment for head and neck cancer or those with certain medical conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes or abnormal kidney function, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more personalized and effective treatment strategies for patients with head and neck cancer.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using hypoxia imaging in cancer treatment is being explored, this specific methodology is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Newly diagnosed HNSCC (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma) by biopsy or fine needle aspiration originating from the oral cavity, larynx, hypopharynx, nasopharynx, and oropharynx
* Patients are scheduled to undergo chemoradiotherapy or surgery
* Able to provide informed consent and willing to sign an approved consent form that conforms to federal and institutional guidelines.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant patients
* Patients with claustrophobia
* Patients with pacemaker, spinal stimulator, or cochlear implant that are not MR compatible or any other metallic objects in the body
* Patients who had been treated for HNC, either surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy
* Patients with thyroid, skin, sinonasal, and salivary gland cancer.
* Abnormal kidney function defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGRF) \< 30 mL/min/1.73 m2
* Patients with uncontrolled diabetes
* Patients who obtained outside FDG-PET/CT prior to initial treatment

Where this trial is running

Salt Lake City, Utah

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Head and Neck Cancer, Hypoxia, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cancer Neck, hypoxia, precision medicine, imaging biomarker, prognosis

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.