ClinicalTrials.gg
TerminatedNCT03386357Updated Mar 27, 2026Results posted

Radiotherapy With Pembrolizumab in Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)

A Phase 2 interventional study of A (pembrolizumab+RT) and B (pembrolizumab) in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, sponsored by University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Medical School. Terminated at 7 sites in Germany. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 100 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-03-27.

Sponsored by University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Medical School · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment

Why this study was terminated
slow recruitment

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Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
115
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 100 Years
Sex
All
01

Where this study stands

Counted across the records on this site · 2026-11-14

Among 116 studies in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck with a site in Germany — 34 open to participants now, 50 under way, 14 of them phase 3. Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck · Germany.

Enrollment
67th of 104
115 · median 178
Started
2018
with 9 others
Phase 2
40 of 116
6 open now
Registered
38th of 116
by date
Lead sponsor
7 of 116
University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Medical School

Among the 116 studies in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck with a site in Germany, this one is the 67th largest by enrollment of the 104 interventional ones that give a count, is one of 10 that started in 2018, is one of 40 in phase 2, and was the 38th registered.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

2,019 studies on the registry are indexed under Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; 573 are open to participants now.

Browse Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck studies →

Open to participants now

34 of the 116 studies in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck with a site in Germany are open now. Recruiting first, the newest first:

29 more — sign in →

All 34 open studies →

A study can be open while its sites in Germany have not opened yet or have stopped. Only those recruiting at a site in Germany →

Who these studies take

Of the 435 Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck studies recruiting now, 311 (71%) set no upper age limit and 87 (20%) stop at 75 or younger; 5 take children under 18; 13 take healthy volunteers.

This study: 18 Years to 100 Years · all sexes · no healthy volunteers.

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02

Study summary

Randomized phase II study of immune stimulation with Pembrolizumab and radiotherapy in second line therapy of metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Read the detailed description

This is an open-label, randomized, prospective, multicenter phase II clinical trial of pembrolizumab with or without local radiotherapy in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic HNSCC after progression to platinum-based therapy.

All patients will receive pembrolizumab 200mg absolute dose administered every third week. Patients in treatment arm A will receive radiotherapy of one, two or three metastases with a total tumor volume of at least 10cm³ intended to induce tumor cell death acting as an in situ vaccination. Radiotherapy (RT) will be performed conventionally fractioned with single doses of 3Gy to a total dose of 36Gy. There will be a strict time schedule. Radiotherapy will always start on Wednesday. After application of the third radiation dose (Friday) the patients will receive pembrolizumab. After an interruption of radiotherapy for two days (Saturday, Sunday), radiotherapy will be continued. Pembrolizumab will be continued on an every three week schedule until confirmed disease progression according to iRECIST criteria, unacceptable toxicity, patient's wish to stop therapy or a maximal treatment time of 12 months.

Tumor assessment will be performed every 9 weeks and will be evaluated according to iRECIST and RECIST. For each patient the same assessment method will be used throughout the study. Toxicity will be assessed according to CTCAE 4.0.

03

Conditions studied

  • Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 100 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

In order to be eligible for participation in this trial, the subject must:

  1. Be willing and able to provide written /assent for the trial.
  2. Be >18 years of age on day of signing informed consent.
  3. HNSCC (at least two distinct lesions: Lesion planned for radiotherapy with ≥10 ml tumor volume, or ≥3 lesions: 1 lesion planned for radiotherapy with ≥10 ml tumor volume or 2 lesions planned for radiotherapy with a cumulative tumor volume ≥10ml) OR Locally recurrent HNSCC not suitable for curative local treatment within or outside the previously irradiated tissue (at least two distinct lesions: Lesion planned for radiotherapy with ≥10 ml tumor volume, or ≥3 lesions: 1 lesion planned for radiotherapy with ≥10 ml tumor volume or 2 lesions planned for radiotherapy with a cumulative tumor volume ≥10ml).
  4. Progression to platinum-based or any second/third line chemotherapy OR Progression within 6 months after platinum-based radiochemotherapy of locally advanced disease
  5. Histological confirmation of HNSCC
  6. Have at least one according to that receives less than 10% of the prescribed dose of the irradiated lesion(s) (not considering doses from previous radiotherapy)
  7. Have a performance status of 0-1 on the Performance Scale.
  8. Demonstrate adequate organ function
  9. Female subject of should have a negative urine or serum pregnancy within 72 hours prior to receiving the first dose of study medication. If the urine test is positive or cannot be confirmed as negative, a serum pregnancy test will be required.
  10. Female subjects of childbearing potential (Section 5.7.2) must be willing to use an adequate method of as outlined in Section 5.7.2 - Contraception, for the course of the study through 120 days after the last dose of study medication.

    Note: Abstinence is acceptable if this is the usual lifestyle and preferred contraception for the subject.

  11. Male subjects of childbearing potential (Section 5.7.1) must agree to use an adequate method of contraception as outlined in Section 5.7.1- Contraception, starting with the first dose of study therapy through 120 days after the last dose of study therapy.

Note: Abstinence is acceptable if this is the usual lifestyle and preferred contraception for the subject.

-

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

The subject must be excluded from participating in the trial if the subject:

  1. Is currently participating and receiving study therapy or has participated in a study of an agent and received study therapy or used an investigational device within 4 weeks of the first dose of treatment.
  2. Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving systemic therapy or any other form of therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of trial treatment.
  3. Has a known history of active TB (Bacillus Tuberculosis)
  4. to pembrolizumab or any of its .
  5. Has had a prior anti-cancer monoclonal antibody (mAb) within 4 weeks prior to study day 1 or who has not recovered (i.e., ≤ grade 1 or at baseline) from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4 weeks earlier.
  6. Has had prior chemotherapy, targeted small molecule therapy, or radiation therapy within 2 weeks prior to study day 1 or who has not recovered (i.e., ≤ grade 1 or at baseline) from adverse events due to a previously administered agent.

    • Note: Subjects with ≤ grade 2 neuropathy are an exception to this criterion and may qualify for the study.
    • Note: If subject received major surgery, they must have recovered adequately from the toxicity and/or complications from the intervention prior to starting therapy.
  7. Has a known additional that is progressing or requires active treatment. Exceptions include basal cell carcinoma of the skin or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that has undergone potentially curative therapy or in situ cervical cancer.
  8. Has known active central nervous system (CNS) and/or carcinomatous meningitis. Subjects with previously treated may participate provided they are stable (without evidence of progression by imaging for at least four weeks prior to the first dose of trial treatment and any neurologic symptoms have returned to baseline), have no evidence of new or enlarging brain metastases, and are not using steroids for at least 7 days prior to trial treatment. This exception does not include carcinomatous meningitis which is excluded regardless of clinical stability.
  9. Has active disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years (i.e. with use of disease modifying agents, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs). Replacement therapy (eg., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is not considered a form of systemic treatment.
  10. History of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids, evidence of interstitial lung disease or active, non-infectious pneumonitis
  11. Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy.
  12. Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the trial, interfere with the subject's participation for the full duration of the trial, or is not in the best interest of the subject to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator.
  13. Has known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial.
  14. Is pregnant or breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive or father children within the projected duration of the trial, starting with the pre-screening or screening visit through 120 days after the last dose of trial treatment.
  15. Has received prior therapy with an , anti-PD-L1, or anti-PD-L2 agent.
  16. Has a known history of (HIV) (HIV 1/2 antibodies).
  17. Has known active (e.g., HBsAg reactive) or (e.g., HCV RNA [qualitative] is detected).
  18. Has received a within 30 days of planned start of study therapy. Note: Seasonal influenza vaccines for injection are generally inactivated flu vaccines and are allowed; however intranasal influenza vaccines (e.g., Flu-Mist®) are live attenuated vaccines, and are not allowed.
  19. Have a performance status of ≥2 on the Performance Scale.
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(21)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

Metastases

Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.

Line of therapy

A line of therapy is one course of treatment, which may combine several drugs. First-line is the first course given; second-line follows when that stops working or is not tolerated.

“Two prior lines” means two courses that count separately under the study’s rules — not simply two drugs. Ask the study team if you are unsure how yours are counted.

Measurable disease

The amount of disease can be tracked with a defined measurement, so the study can see whether it shrinks or grows. It might be a tumour measured on a scan or, in some blood cancers such as myeloma, a marker measured in blood or urine.

The criteria or the study team say which measurement counts — having no tumour visible on a scan does not by itself rule you out.

iRECIST and mRECIST

Versions of RECIST adapted to particular cases. iRECIST is for immunotherapy, where a tumour can look bigger for a while before it shrinks, so growth has to be confirmed on a later scan. mRECIST usually means the version for liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), which measures only the part of a tumour that still has a blood supply.

ECOG performance status

A scale of how much an illness limits everyday activity. For people being assessed to join a study, scores run from 0 (fully active) to 4; lower is more active.

0
Fully active, no restrictions.
1
Limited in strenuous activity, but walking and able to do light work, such as housework or office work.
2
Walking and able to look after yourself, but unable to work; up and about more than half of waking hours.
3
Able to look after yourself only in part; in bed or a chair more than half of waking hours.
4
Unable to look after yourself at all; in bed or a chair all day.

Studies most often ask for 0–1 or 0–2. Your doctor gives the score; the WHO scale uses the same steps. The full scale also has 5, which records death.

Childbearing potential

Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).

Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.

Contraception

Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.

Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.

Investigational drug or device

A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.

It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.

Corticosteroids (steroids)

Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.

Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.

Immunosuppression

A weakened immune system. It can come from an illness, such as HIV or some blood cancers, or from medicines that turn the immune system down, for example after an organ transplant or for an autoimmune disease; steroids at higher doses count.

Read whether the line is about a condition or about medicines, and which medicines and doses it means.

Hypersensitivity

An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.

Excipients

The other ingredients in a medicine besides the active drug, such as fillers, colours or preservatives.

Cancer (malignancy)

Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.

Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.

Brain metastases

Cancer deposits in the brain from a cancer that started elsewhere in the body (CNS metastases include the spinal cord).

Studies differ: some leave out any brain metastases, some accept ones treated and stable for some weeks. Check what this study allows.

Autoimmune disease

A condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.

Immunotherapy studies often leave out active autoimmune disease, and some name exceptions, such as thyroid disease on replacement hormone. Check the exceptions this study lists.

PD-1, PD-L1 and checkpoint inhibitors

PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA-4 are proteins that act as brakes on the immune system. Checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab or nivolumab, block them so the immune system can attack a cancer.

PD-L1 can also be measured in a tumour sample. Some scores count stained tumour cells only (TPS); others also count certain immune cells (CPS). The study names the score and the minimum it uses.

HIV

The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.

Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.

Hepatitis B tests

Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.

Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.

Hepatitis C tests

Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver. An HCV antibody test can stay positive after an infection has cleared (and is occasionally positive without one); an HCV RNA test shows whether the virus is there now.

After treatment, hepatitis C counts as cured when HCV RNA is still undetectable 12 weeks or more after the treatment ended. Studies often accept people cured this way.

Live vaccines

Vaccines made with a weakened form of the germ, such as measles–mumps–rubella (MMR), chickenpox and yellow fever. They can be risky when the immune system is weakened. Flu injections are not live; the nasal flu spray is.

05

Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
115 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    A (pembrolizumab+RT)

    Pembrolizumab (200mg absolute, q3w) combined with radiotherapy (12x3Gy) of one, two or three metastases.

    Combination Product: A (pembrolizumab+RT)

  • Active comparator
    B (pembrolizumab)

    Pembrolizumab (200mg absolute, q3w) without radiotherapy

    Drug: B (pembrolizumab)

Interventions

  • Combination productA (pembrolizumab+RT)

    Pembrolizumab (200mg absolute, q3w) combined with radiotherapy (12x3Gy) of one, two or three metastases. Only metastases that perspectively require radiotherapy will be treated. The irradiated tumor volume must be at least 10cm³. Radiotherapy of brain metastases is not allowed.

    Also known as: Keytruda + RT

  • Pembrolizumab (200mg absolute, q3w)

    Also known as: Keytruda

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Best Response According to iRECIST Criteria

    Response evaluation will be performed according to iRECIST and RECIST. These iRECIST criteria are the RECIST 1.1 criteria adapted for immunotherapy. Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to \<10 mm. Partial Response (PR): At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters. Progressive Disease (PD): At least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study (this includes the baseline sum if that is the smallest on study). In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm. Stable Disease (SD): Neither sufficient shrinkage to qualify for PR nor sufficient increase to qualify for PD, taking as reference the small

    Time frame: Endpoint is the best response during pembrolizumab treatment (restaging every 9 weeks up to 12 months)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Response Rate According to RECIST

    RECIST 1.1 criteria will be used to evaluate response rate

    Time frame: restaging every 9 weeks up to 12 months

  2. Assessment of the Duration of Response

    The duration of the response will be evaluated in responding patients.

    Time frame: restaging every 9 weeks up to 12 months

  3. Assessment of the Progression Free Survival

    progression free survival in ITT population Response evaluation will be performed according to iRECIST and RECIST. These iRECIST criteria are the RECIST 1.1 criteria adapted for immunotherapy. Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to \<10 mm. Partial Response (PR): At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters. Progressive Disease (PD): At least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study (this includes the baseline sum if that is the smallest on study). In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm. Stable Disease (SD): Neither sufficient shrinkage to qualify for PR nor sufficient increase to qualify for PD, taking as reference the smallest sum diameters while on study.

    Time frame: restaging every 9 weeks up to 12 months

  4. Assessment of the Overall Survival

    Overall survival (in months) in ITT population

    Time frame: during trial treatment an follow-up, i.e. total of 24 months

  5. Assessment of Toxicity of the Combination of Pembrolizumab and Radiotherapy

    Toxicity will be evaluated according to CTCAE 4.0 to assess toxicity of the combination of pembrolizumab and radiotherapy

    Time frame: at every pembrolizumab administration (q3w) (up tp 12 months)

07

Results

Posted Mar 12, 2026

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneA (Pembrolizumab+RT)B (Pembrolizumab)
Started5758
Completed5758
Not completed00

Outcome measures

PrimaryBest Response According to iRECIST Criteria

Response evaluation will be performed according to iRECIST and RECIST. These iRECIST criteria are the RECIST 1.1 criteria adapted for immunotherapy. Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to \<10 mm. Partial Response (PR): At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters. Progressive Disease (PD): At least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study (this includes the baseline sum if that is the smallest on study). In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm. Stable Disease (SD): Neither sufficient shrinkage to qualify for PR nor sufficient increase to qualify for PD, taking as reference the small

Time frame:
Endpoint is the best response during pembrolizumab treatment (restaging every 9 weeks up to 12 months)
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Best Response According to iRECIST Criteria
ParticipantsA (Pembrolizumab+RT)B (Pembrolizumab)
immune complete response (iCR)63
immune partial response (iPR)1410
immune stable disease (iSD)910
immune progressive disease (iPD), confirmed510
iPD, unconfirmed1010
missing iRECIST result03
no restaging28
not qualified for per-protocol analysis114
Statistical analysis
  • A (Pembrolizumab+RT) vs B (Pembrolizumab) · Fisher Exact · p = 0.033 · Odds ratio (or): 2.43
SecondaryResponse Rate According to RECIST

RECIST 1.1 criteria will be used to evaluate response rate

Time frame:
restaging every 9 weeks up to 12 months
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Response Rate According to RECIST
ParticipantsA (Pembrolizumab+RT)B (Pembrolizumab)
CR63
PR1311
SD911
PD1921
missing RECIST result01
no restaging1011
Statistical analysis
  • A (Pembrolizumab+RT) vs B (Pembrolizumab) · Fisher Exact · p = 0.19
SecondaryAssessment of the Duration of Response

The duration of the response will be evaluated in responding patients.

Time frame:
restaging every 9 weeks up to 12 months
Reported as:
Mean · months
Assessment of the Duration of Response
monthsA (Pembrolizumab+RT)B (Pembrolizumab)
Assessment of the Duration of Response13.65 ± 3.038.91 ± 1.80
SecondaryAssessment of the Progression Free Survival

progression free survival in ITT population Response evaluation will be performed according to iRECIST and RECIST. These iRECIST criteria are the RECIST 1.1 criteria adapted for immunotherapy. Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to \<10 mm. Partial Response (PR): At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters. Progressive Disease (PD): At least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study (this includes the baseline sum if that is the smallest on study). In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm. Stable Disease (SD): Neither sufficient shrinkage to qualify for PR nor sufficient increase to qualify for PD, taking as reference the smallest sum diameters while on study.

Time frame:
restaging every 9 weeks up to 12 months
Reported as:
Median · months
Assessment of the Progression Free Survival
monthsA (Pembrolizumab+RT)B (Pembrolizumab)
Assessment of the Progression Free Survival4.2 (2.1 to 10.4)4.0 (2.1 to 10.4)
Statistical analysis
  • A (Pembrolizumab+RT) vs B (Pembrolizumab) · Log Rank · p = 0.9 · Hazard ratio (hr): 0.96 · 95% CI 0.64 to 1.43
SecondaryAssessment of the Overall Survival

Overall survival (in months) in ITT population

Time frame:
during trial treatment an follow-up, i.e. total of 24 months
Reported as:
Median · months
Assessment of the Overall Survival
monthsA (Pembrolizumab+RT)B (Pembrolizumab)
Assessment of the Overall Survival11.4 (8.2 to 18.4)11.3 (8.6 to 19.6)
Statistical analysis
  • A (Pembrolizumab+RT) vs B (Pembrolizumab) · Log Rank · p = 0.84 · Hazard ratio (hr): 1.04 · 95% CI 0.67 to 1.63
SecondaryAssessment of Toxicity of the Combination of Pembrolizumab and Radiotherapy

Toxicity will be evaluated according to CTCAE 4.0 to assess toxicity of the combination of pembrolizumab and radiotherapy

Time frame:
at every pembrolizumab administration (q3w) (up tp 12 months)
Reported as:
Number · events
Assessment of Toxicity of the Combination of Pembrolizumab and Radiotherapy
eventsA (Pembrolizumab+RT)B (Pembrolizumab)
total no. of adverse events562639
total no. of severe adverse events4752
no. of adverse events grade 3 to 56878

Adverse events

Collected over From the time of treatment allocation/ randomization through 30 days following cessation of treatment, all AEs must be reported (i.e. up to 18 months). Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
A (Pembrolizumab+RT)39/57 (68.4%)26/57 (45.6%)54/57 (94.7%)
B (Pembrolizumab)40/58 (69%)32/58 (55.2%)56/58 (96.6%)
Most frequent serious events
Showing 10 of 53
Most frequent serious events
EventA (Pembrolizumab+RT)B (Pembrolizumab)
DyspneaRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders3/577/58
InfectionInfections and infestations4/576/58
DysphagiaGastrointestinal disorders4/571/58
PneumoniaInfections and infestations4/573/58
AstheniaGeneral disorders2/570/58
Tumor hemorrhageNeoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)2/572/58
Device dislocationProduct Issues2/570/58
VomitingGastrointestinal disorders0/572/58
PyrexiaGeneral disorders0/572/58
COVID-19Infections and infestations1/572/58
Most frequent other events
Showing 10 of 52
Most frequent other events
EventA (Pembrolizumab+RT)B (Pembrolizumab)
FatigueGeneral disorders23/5728/58
Mucositis oralGastrointestinal disorders22/5715/58
PainGeneral disorders22/5721/58
Investigations - OtherInvestigations17/5720/58
NauseaGastrointestinal disorders14/5717/58
Infection and infestations - otherInfections and infestations16/5710/58
DyspneaRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders16/5713/58
PruritusSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders10/5715/58
ConstipationGastrointestinal disorders13/5712/58
Dry mouthGastrointestinal disorders12/5710/58

Baseline characteristics

Age, Categorical
Age, Categorical(Participants)A (Pembrolizumab+RT)B (Pembrolizumab)Total
<=18 years000
Between 18 and 65 years213152
>=65 years362763
Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(years)A (Pembrolizumab+RT)B (Pembrolizumab)Total
Mean66.7 ± 9.962.8 ± 9.264.7 ± 9.7
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)A (Pembrolizumab+RT)B (Pembrolizumab)Total
Female9413
Male4854102
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected(Participants)A (Pembrolizumab+RT)B (Pembrolizumab)Total
Count of participants——0
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(participants)A (Pembrolizumab+RT)B (Pembrolizumab)Total
Germany5758115
08

Study locations

7 sites
  • Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital, Abteilung für Hämatologie und Onkologie
    Bochum, 44791, Germany
  • Dresden, Onkologische Gemeinschaftspraxis
    Dresden, 01307, Germany
  • Düsseldorf, Universitätsklinikum, Klinik für Strahlentherrapie und Radiologische Onkologie
    Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany
  • Erlangen, Universitätsklinikum Strahlenklinik
    Erlangen, 91054, Germany
  • Frankfurt, Universitätsklinikum, Klinik für Strahlentherapie und Onkologie
    Frankfurt, 60590, Germany
  • Homburg, Universitätsklinikum, Klinik für Strahlentherapie und Radioonkologie
    Homburg, 66421, Germany
  • Regensburg, Universitätsklinikum, Klinik für Strahlentherapie
    Regensburg, 93042, Germany
09

References and documents

Study documents

PDFs hosted by the registry, ClinicalTrials.gov.

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

10

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reached

Ran from Jul 2018 to primary completion in Oct 2024, 74 months.

Results were first posted in Mar 2026, 1 year 5 months after primary completion.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Nov 30, 2017
First posted
Dec 29, 2017
StartActual
Jul 20, 2018
Primary completionActual
Oct 1, 2024
CompletionActual
Oct 1, 2024
Results first posted
Mar 12, 2026
Last update
Mar 27, 2026
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Mar 27, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
11

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03386357
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Dec 29, 2017
Start date
Jul 20, 2018
Primary completion
Oct 1, 2024
Completion
Oct 1, 2024
Results posted
Mar 12, 2026
Last update
Mar 27, 2026

Study contacts

Rainer Fietkau, Prof.
study chair · Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Strahlenklinik
Wilfried Budach, Prof.
study chair · University Düsseldorf
Markus Hecht, M.D.
principal investigator · Universitätsklinikum Erlangen
Hausmann Jan, M.D.
study chair · University Düsseldorf
Udo Gaipl, Prof.
study chair · Universitätsklinikum Erlangen

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is terminated, as verified in Oct 2024. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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