Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 75

Managing metastatic neck nodes in hypopharyngeal cancer

Official title: The Management of Metastatic Neck Nodes in N2/3 Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Multi-center Randomized Controlled Prospective Study

Run by Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University · NCT05494190 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing whether surgery or chemotherapy works better for patients with advanced hypopharyngeal cancer that has spread to their neck nodes.

More Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
Enrollment111 (estimated)
SponsorEye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, immunotherapy
Locations3 sites (Harbin, Heilongjiang and 2 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedNovember 1, 2022
Main results expectedNovember 2027
Study endsNovember 2027
Registry record updatedDecember 30, 2025
Trial IDNCT05494190 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 75 with pathologically diagnosed hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma classified as T1/2 N2/3 M0.

Probably not a fit

Patients with non-resectable metastatic lesions or those outside the age range may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to determine the most effective treatment strategy for patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) who have bulky metastatic neck nodes classified as N2/3. It is a multi-center, open-label, randomized controlled study that will enroll 111 patients. Participants will be divided into two groups: one receiving surgery and the other undergoing induction chemotherapy. Depending on their response to treatment, patients will either continue with surgery or receive concomitant chemoradiotherapy.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve survival outcomes for patients with advanced hypopharyngeal cancer by optimizing treatment strategies.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise in managing metastatic neck nodes in head and neck cancers, suggesting that this approach may yield beneficial results.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Able to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent document.
2. Age ≥ 18 and ≤ 75 years.
3. Male or female.
4. Karnofsky physical status (KPS): ≥ 80
5. Hepatic function, renal function and normal blood test. Hepatic function: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 2.5 upper limit of normal, Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤ 2.5 upper limit of normal. Serum total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 upper limit of normal. Kidney function: Serum creatinine \< upper limit of normal value and creatinine clearance rate \> 60 ml/(min\*1.73m2) (Cockcroft-Gault formula). Blood test: neutrophil (Neu) ≥ 1.5×109/L, platelet (PLT) ≥ 100×109/L, hemoglobin (HGB) ≥ 90 g/L.
6. Pathologically diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx.
7. After clinical and radiographic evaluations, clinically classified as T1/2 N2/3 M0 stage according to American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC, eighth edition).
8. Resectable regional metastatic lesion (incompletely tumor- wrapped carotid vascular).
9. Assessable tumor lesions according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST, Version 1.1).
10. Radical treatment intent.
11. Male patients with fertility and female patients with fertility and pregnancy risk must agree to use contraceptive methods throughout the study period, and continued until at least 6 months after the last dose of cisplatin. Female patients who do not have fertility (ie meet at least one of the following criteria): Have undergone hysterectomy and/or bilateral oophorectomy with archival records, medically confirmed ovarian function decline; In postmenopausal state. It is defined as: At least 12 months of continuous menstruation without other pathological or physiological reasons, and the status confirmed by serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels is consistent with postmenopausal status.
12. Good compliance.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Distant metastatic disease
2. Have a history of other cancers or coinstantaneous second primary tumor
3. Previous treatment for the primary tumor, including radiotherapy, surgery except biopsy operation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and biological targeted therapy.
4. Patients who have participated in other clinical trials within 1 month before the test.
5. Patients estimated to have poor tolerance to induction chemotherapy.
6. The investigator believes that it is inappropriate for individuals to participate in the trial: having, for example, severe acute or chronic medical conditions (including immune colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, non-infectious pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis) or mental illness (including recent time \[within the past year\] or active suicidal ideation or behavior).
7. Palliative treatment intent.
8. Pregnant or lactating women.

Where it's running

  • Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University
    Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China
    Recruiting
  • Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital
    Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
    Not yet recruiting
  • Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University
    Jinan, Shandong, China
    Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Ming Zhang, PhD — Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University
  • Study coordinator: Feiran Li
  • Email: lifr214@163.com
  • Phone: 8664377134

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.