Oropharyngeal Cancer

P1/2, N=242, Recruiting, VM Oncology, LLC | Phase classification: P1 --> P1/2 | N=82 --> 242 | Trial completion date: Jun 2027 --> Jun 2028 | Trial primary completion date: Dec 2026 --> Dec 2027

This overview provides a concise synthesis of targeted therapies under investigation or already in clinical use, including monoclonal antibodies against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (e.g., cetuximab) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., nivolumab, pembrolizumab), as well as inhibitors of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) or agents targeting angiogenic and intracellular signaling pathways such as VEGF and mTOR...Metformin and statins, for instance, have demonstrated anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in preclinical OSCC models. Notably, recent evidence suggests that regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, may improve survival specifically in patients with PIK3CA-altered Head and Neck tumors, potentially through modulation of the COX-2/PGE2 axis. Although prospective evidence remains limited and somewhat heterogeneous, existing preclinical and observational studies suggest that these agents may improve survival and reduce treatment-related toxicity, further pointing to the relevance of molecular stratification in guiding future repurposing strategies. This article aims to map the current therapeutic landscape, highlighting both established molecular targets and emerging repositioned drugs in the management of OSCC and OPSCC.

P2, N=44, Recruiting, National Cancer Institute (NCI) | Not yet recruiting --> Recruiting | Initiation date: Nov 2025 --> Aug 2026

P3, N=500, Recruiting, Johnson & Johnson Enterprise Innovation Inc. | Trial completion date: Dec 2027 --> Jun 2028

P=N/A, N=40, Active, not recruiting, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute | Trial primary completion date: Jul 2026 --> Oct 2025

P3, N=89, Completed, Incyte Corporation | Active, not recruiting --> Completed

A subset of cells also harbored HPV16 ecDNA derived from the intrachromosomal HPV- TP63 DNAs. These findings define previously unrecognized higher-order architecture of integrated HPV DNA and highlight the power of FISH for distinguishing intrachromosomal from extrachromosomal DNA structures.

P1/2, N=24, Recruiting, Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Grand Paris | Trial primary completion date: Aug 2025 --> Nov 2025

P1, N=32, Active, not recruiting, Baylor College of Medicine | Trial primary completion date: Oct 2025 --> Jan 2026

P=N/A, N=100, Recruiting, Griffith University

The ROC analysis confirmed the diagnostic accuracy of salivary EBV DNA load. Our preliminary results indicate the usefulness of determining EBV DNA load in saliva as a non-invasive prognostic biomarker in EBV-positive oropharyngeal cancer, but confirmation in larger cohort studies is required.

These findings highlight NKT cell differentiation as a strong prognostic indicator in OPSCC and support further exploration of epigenetic-immunologic interactions as potential therapeutic targets.