Transdisciplinary Oral/Oropharyngeal lesions Research & Care in Head and Neck Cancer (TORCH 2.0): A Prospective Non-Randomized Cohort Study by the Head and Neck Oncology Group (HNOG) at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)

Date Added
January 6th, 2026
PRO Number
Pro00147748
Researcher
Dauren Adilbay

List of Studies

Keywords
Cancer/Head & Neck
Summary

This study will recruit adults diagnosed with an oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD). The purpose of this research study is to collect blood, saliva, and tissue samples to determine whether certain measurable characteristics (biomarkers) can be identified which may provide insight into the risk of developing cancer. Participation in this study is expected to last approximately 3 years.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
HCC Clinical Trials Office
843-792-9321
hcc-clinical-trials@musc.edu

A Phase II Study of Combined Amivantamab, Carboplatin and Paclitaxel in Unresectable Locally Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer

Date Added
January 14th, 2026
PRO Number
Pro00149057
Researcher
John Kaczmar

List of Studies


Keywords
Cancer, Drug Studies, Men's Health, Women's Health
Summary

This study is for patients diagnosed with unresectable locally recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer. The purpose of this study is to test if adding an investigational drug called amivantamab to the usual chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) is more effective in treating head and neck cancer when compared to being treated with carboplatin and paclitaxel alone. Carboplatin and paclitaxel are FDA approved to treat head and neck cancers; however, adding the study drug, amivantamab, is still being investigated and is not approved by the FDA.

Patients may participate in this study for up to 2 years. Procedures include CT, MRI, blood tests, chemotherapy, and regular visits with your doctor including follow-up study visits or phone calls every 3 months. There will be about 50 people taking part in this study, approximately 3 participants will be enrolled at MUSC.

Risks include constipation, nausea, rash, vomiting, swelling of arms and/or legs. Participants may or may not receive a direct benefit from participating in this trial, however, information learned from the trial may help other people in the future.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
HCC Clinical Trials Office
843-792-9321
hcc-clinical-trials@musc.edu

A Phase 1a/1b Study of NRM-823 as Monotherapy and in Combination with Immune Checkpoint Inhibition in Participants with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Refractory Solid Tumors

Date Added
March 12th, 2026
PRO Number
Pro00149087
Researcher
Christopher Rangel

List of Studies

Keywords
Cancer, Cancer/Breast, Cancer/Gastrointestinal, Cancer/Gynecological, Cancer/Lung, Drug Studies, Men's Health, Women's Health
Summary

This study is for patients that have been diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumor, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), triple-negative breast cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer (or gastroesophageal cancer), head and neck squamous cell cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, or cervical cancer. The study is testing and investigational drug called NRM-823. "Investigational" means it has not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of NRM-823 as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab. The study drug is given as an injection into the stomach (or another place, like the thigh). An injection is like a shot between the skin and muscle so that the drug can enter your body. Participants can expect to be on this study until the first radiographic disease progression.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
HCC Clinical Trials Office
843-792-9321
hcc-clinicaltrials@musc.edu

Optimizing Clinical Screening for Body Image Distress Among Head and Neck Cancer Survivors: Implementation of a Short Form of the IMAGE-HN Questionnaire

Date Added
March 24th, 2026
PRO Number
Pro00149346
Researcher
Haley Hullfish

List of Studies

Keywords
Cancer/Head & Neck
Summary

This study is designed to improve how body image distress is identified among adult survivors of head and neck cancer during routine clinic visits. Participants will complete questionnaires about body image concerns either on paper or electronically (in clinic or remotely through a secure link). The study will evaluate how well a brief screening questionnaire (IMAGE-HN SF) identifies patients experiencing meaningful body image distress compared with the longer, full IMAGE-HN survey. In addition to assessing how accurately the short form performs, we will ask patients how they prefer the screening to be delivered, including the timing, format, and method of completion in routine care. A subset of participants will be invited to complete a short interview to share additional thoughts about how this type of screening should be implemented. Findings from this study will help guide the use of efficient and patient-centered body image screening in head and neck cancer clinics.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Haley Hullfish
843-278-3842
hullfish@musc.edu

A Phase II Randomized Trial of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy or Chemo-Immunotherapy in Patients with Recurrent/Persistent PD-L1 Enriched Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Undergoing Salvage Surgery (NEOPOLIS)

Date Added
March 27th, 2026
PRO Number
Pro00150201
Researcher
Alexandra Kejner

List of Studies

Keywords
Cancer, Drug Studies, Men's Health, Women's Health
Summary

This study is for patients diagnosed with recurrent/persistent PD-LI enriched squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and undergoing salvage surgery. The purpose of this study is to compare the usual treatment of surgery alone, to using chemotherapy (cisplatin and paclitaxel) or chemo-immunotherapy [carboplatin and paclitaxel with cemiplimab (REGN2810)] plus the usual treatment.

Carboplatin, cisplatin, paclitaxel, and cemiplimab are FDA approved to treat head and neck cancers. This study seeks to answer if adding chemotherapy or chemo-immunotherapy before surgery extends the length of time without your cancer returning compared to the surgery alone.

Patients may participate in this study for up to 3 years. Procedures surgery, blood tests, chemotherapy, and regular visits with your doctor including follow-up study visits or phone calls every 3 months. There will be about 180 people taking part in this study, approximately x participants will be enrolled at MUSC.

Risks include hair loss, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, anemia, infection, and fever. Participants may or may not receive a direct benefit from participating in this trial, however, information learned from the trial may help other people in the future.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
HCC Clinical Trials Office
843-792-9321
hcc-clinical-trials@musc.edu

Pilot Randomized Trial Evaluating Resistance Exercise Training and Creatine Supplementation in Individuals Treated for Head and Neck Cancer

Date Added
July 7th, 2026
PRO Number
Pro00148118
Researcher
Chris Gregory

List of Studies


Keywords
Cancer, Exercise, Rehabilitation Studies
Summary

The study will examine the effects of a 10-week resistance training program, with or without creatine monohydrate supplementation, on changes in body composition, physical function, cancer-related fatigue, quality of life, and symptom burden in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors. All participants will undergo screening that includes completion of questionnaires, exercise testing and physical function assessments before and after the treatment period as well as at a 10-week follow up evaluation. We hypothesize that group that completes resistance training with creatine monohydrate supplementation will achieve greater improvements in body composition, physical function, cancer-related fatigue, quality of life, and symptom burden when compared to the group that completes resistance training alone.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Brian Cence
(843)792-2668
cence@musc.edu

The Effects of Self-Imagery Rescripting Paired with Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Symptoms of Social Anxiety

Date Added
August 4th, 2026
PRO Number
Pro00151445
Researcher
Lisa McTeague

List of Studies


Keywords
Anxiety, Brain, Ears, Healthy Volunteer Studies, Mental Health
Summary

The purpose of this study is to better understand how ear stimulation techniques may impact how people think about themselves in social situations. The goal is to identify how the addition of ear stimulation can impact cognitive processes, including the ways that people think about themselves in social situations and attend to or process social information, that underly an activity known as "self-imagery rescripting." Eligible individuals who are between the ages of 18 and 65 years will complete a variety of activities after providing consent to study participation. These include: (1) completing questionnaires on the computer, (2) completing tasks similar to a video game on the computer, (3) having an electrode attached to their ear that will stimulate nerve activity, (4) completing an interview about how they feel in social situations, and (5) engaging in an activity during which they will be prompted about how they see themselves in social situations. Throughout these activities, participants also will be asked to wear a variety of sensors, bundled together in a cap for their head and individually on other parts of their body, that will collect information about brain activity, heart rate, and eye blinking. Participation in this research study is entirely voluntary and will last approximately 3 hours during a single session at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Participants will be compensated for their time.

There are some risks associated with this study. Some survey questions ask about personal thoughts and feelings. Ear stimulation may cause tingling sensations or irritation around the ear. Thinking and talking about how one sees themselves in social situations may be distressful.

There are no direct benefits to participants. This study will help researchers better understand how ear stimulation can improve the strategies that can help the way that people think about themselves in social situations.

Institution
MUSC
Recruitment Contact
Danielle Deros
(843) 792-8274
deros@musc.edu



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