Updated June 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov
Induction and Maintenance Treatment With PARP Inhibitor and Immunotherapy in HPV-negative HNSCC
Induction and Maintenance Treatment With PARP Inhibitor and Immunotherapy in HPV-negative Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)
Induction and Maintenance Treatment With PARP Inhibitor and Immunotherapy in HPV-negative HNSCC (NCT04681469) is a Phase 2 interventional studying Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, sponsored by Gruppo Oncologico del Nord-Ovest. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.
About This Trial
We propose a window of opportunity trial to evaluate safety and efficacy of a short course of the study combination, composed by an Anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody (Dostarlimab (TSR-042)) and a PARPi (Niraparib). The study population will be surgically resectable, HPV-negative (defined by p16 negative status) locally advanced HNSCC. Maintenance treatment will be then delivered, so to better integrate the therapeutic benefits of this drug combination. Response to neoadjuvant treatment will be evaluated by the rate of major pathologic response, morphologic, and functional imaging (MRI with functional evaluation -DWI). We anticipate that neoadjuvant and maintenance PARPi plus immunotherapy treatment could lead to a reduction of loco-regional recurrence (LRR) and distant metastasis (DM) rates in such a high-risk population. Furthermore, the window of opportunity portion of this trial will allow in vivo acquisition of valuable knowledge on mechanisms of action and primary resistance to Anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody and PARPi in HNSCC. In this phase of the study, biological specimens will be collected (pre-treatment tumor biopsy, tissues from the surgical specimen, liquid biopsy, blood and saliva samples) as well as functional imaging (MRI).
What Stage of Research Is This?
Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma and continue monitoring side effects. Phase 2 enrolls larger groups (typically 100–300 patients) and produces the first real efficacy signal. A successful Phase 2 readout is what unlocks the much larger Phase 3 confirmatory trials needed for FDA approval.
This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.
With a target enrollment of 49 participants, this is a small study — typical of early-phase research, rare-disease trials, or pilot studies designed to generate preliminary signal before a larger study is launched.
Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)
These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.
Original Eligibility Criteria
View original clinical language
Treatments Being Tested
Niraparib
For all patient's population: * Niraparib 200 mg/day: day -49 to day -21; * Dostarlimab 500 mg iv: day -49 and day -28; At day -21, clinical evaluation will be performed and the patient will be directed to surgery with exclusion from the study in case of progressive disease. Radiological assessment will be performed according to the physician's judgement. If no clinical evidence of disease progression: * Niraparib 200 mg/day: day -21 to day -7 * Dostarlimab 500 mg iv: day -7 * Radiological assessment (day -1, ± 3 days), * Surgery (original margin) at day 0 (±3 days) * Standard postoperative (chemo)radiotherapy according to pathologic report; * Maintenance Niraparib, 200 mg/day for 6 months * Maintenance Dostarlimab, 500 mg iv q3W for the first four cycles and 1000 mg iv Q6W thereafter for 3 months.
Locations (1)
Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.
How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial
Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT04681469), the sponsor (Gruppo Oncologico del Nord-Ovest), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.
Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.
Authoritative Sources
The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NCT04681469 clinical trial studying?
We propose a window of opportunity trial to evaluate safety and efficacy of a short course of the study combination, composed by an Anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody (Dostarlimab (TSR-042)) and a PARPi (Niraparib). The study population will be surgically resectable, HPV-negative (defined by p16 negative status) locally advanced HNSCC. Maintenance treatment will be then delivered, so to better integrate the therapeutic benefits of this drug combination. Response to neoadjuvant treatment will be evaluated by the rate of major pathologic response, morphologic, and functional imaging (MRI with funct… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.
Who can participate in NCT04681469?
Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.
How do I contact the trial site for NCT04681469?
Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.
Is participating in a clinical trial safe?
Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.
Where can I verify the data on this page?
Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.
How This Page Is Built
Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.
Related Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Trials
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Phase 2 · Providence Health & Services
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT04681469. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT04681469. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."
Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.
Last updated 2026-06-26 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.