Using AI to personalize treatment for head and neck cancer patients

Künstliche Intelligenz (KI) in Der Funktionellen Bildgebung Zur Individualisierten Behandlung Von Kopf-Hals-Plattenepithelkarzinom-Patienten Artificial Intelligence in Functional Imaging for Individualized Treatment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients

Observational Charite University, Berlin, Germany · NCT05192655

This study is testing whether using artificial intelligence to analyze PET scans and patient data can help doctors create more personalized treatment plans for people with head and neck cancer.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment250 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCharite University, Berlin, Germany Academic / other
Locations1 site (Berlin)
Trial IDNCT05192655 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to enhance treatment strategies for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) by utilizing artificial intelligence to analyze 18F-Fluorodesoxyglucose (FDG) PET imaging alongside clinical and histopathological data. The researchers will train a three-dimensional Convolutional Neural Network on a large retrospective cohort of patients who underwent either chemoradiation or surgery. The goal is to predict individual treatment outcomes and identify patients who are likely to have excellent or unfavorable responses to their respective treatments. This approach seeks to optimize and personalize treatment plans to mitigate serious side effects associated with current modalities.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults over 18 years old diagnosed with HNSCC who are seeking curative treatment and have undergone FDG PET imaging.

Not a fit: Patients with HNSCC who are not eligible for curative treatment or who cannot undergo FDG PET imaging will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more personalized and effective treatment options for patients with head and neck cancer, potentially improving outcomes and reducing side effects.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies utilizing AI for imaging analysis in cancer treatment have shown promising results, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* All patients older than 18 years with diagnosed HNSCC, attending the Department of Radiooncology and Radiotherapy or the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Charité for a treatment with curative intension ( R(C)T or primary surgery / combined).
* All patients received as pretherapeutic diagnostic method a 18F-Fluorodesoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with HNSCC who cannot be treated in a curative approach
* Patients with HNSCC treated in a curative approach but unable to receive FDG PET imaging before start of treatment
* Data from patients who have withdrawn their study consent

Where this trial is running

Berlin

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.
Conditions HNSCC
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.