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CompletedNCT03759730ROMA LA-OPSCCUpdated Oct 1, 2026

Role of Microbiome as a Biomarkers in Locoregionally-Advanced Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

An observational study in Locoregionally-advanced Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, sponsored by University Health Network, Toronto. Completed at 1 site in Canada. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-01.

Sponsored by University Health Network, Toronto · Observational

Updated Oct 1, 2026Eligibility revisedGo to Updates ↓
Study type
Observational
Model
Other
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
26
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This is a minimal risk feasibility study involving the analysis of patient samples and does not involve any therapeutic intervention. The study will involve a prospective cohort of up to 60 patients diagnosed with Locoregionally-Advanced Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (LA-OPSCC) treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

Read the detailed description

To assess the feasibility of microbiome evaluation in LA-OPSCC patients undergoing CRT using samples collected by four different methods: Saliva, Oropharyngeal swab over the tumor site (OP), Stool, and Rectal swab (optional).

This study is investigating the role of oral microbiota as a biomarker in LA-OPSCC. This is a minimal risk study involving the analysis of patient samples and does not involve therapeutic intervention. This protocol does not determine eligibility to receive treatment with concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It is anticipated that patient accrual will be completed within 12 months.

The study will involve a prospective cohort of up to 60 patients diagnosed with LA OPSCC treated with CRT at Princess Margaret Cancer Center.

02

Conditions studied

  • Locoregionally-advanced Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
03

In context

Lead sponsor

University Health Network, Toronto is the lead sponsor of 1,411 studies on the registry; 292 are open to participants now.

Of its 17 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 3 (18%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

Subjects diagnosed with locoregionally-advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Inclusion criteria

  1. Signed written and voluntary informed consent.
  2. Patient must be willing and able to provide collection for saliva, OP swab and stool specimen analyses at 2 time points. Rectal swab is optional.
  3. Age > 18 years, male or female.
  4. Patient must be diagnosed with histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (soft palate, tonsils, base of tongue).
  5. Patients must be eligible for curative-intent concurrent treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

- Any condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would interfere with patient safety, or evaluation of the collected specimen and interpretation of study result.

05

Study design

Observational model
Other
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
26 participants (actual)
Patient registry
No
Biospecimen retention
Samples with dna
06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Feasibility of microbiome evaluation in LA-OPSCC patients undergoing CRT using samples collected by four different methods

    To assess the feasibility, the endpoint will be the proportion of analyzable samples.

    Time frame: 1 year

  2. Feasibility of microbiome evaluation in LA-OPSCC patients undergoing CRT using samples collected by four different methods

    To assess the feasibility, the endpoint will be the patient compliance rate with sample collection timeline/procedures.

    Time frame: 1 year

Other outcomes

  1. Evaluation of the relationship between oral and intestinal microbiome composition and diversity in LA-OPSCC patients undergoing CRT.

    To evaluate this relationship, the samples will undergo the following analyses: DNA extraction, 16S rRNA amplification, and Illumina MiSeq Sequencing

    Time frame: 1 year

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
    Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
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References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Updates

1 registry update since Sep 25, 2026
Also revised
eligibility
Show all 1 update
  1. Oct 1, 2026
    Eligibility Criteria revised
    + 3 other changes: verification date, site details and index terms

From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03759730
Lead sponsor
University Health Network, Toronto
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Nov 30, 2018
Start date
Jan 5, 2018
Primary completion
Nov 28, 2018
Completion
Nov 28, 2018
Last update
Oct 1, 2026

Study contacts

Lillian Siu, MD
principal investigator · Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Anna Spreafico, MD
principal investigator · Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Oversight

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

Not currently enrolling

This study is completed, as verified in Sep 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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