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Updated June 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 2INTERVENTIONAL

Evaluating a Decreased Dose of Radiation Therapy to the Elective Neck for the Treatment of HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer, ENLIGHT Trial

Elective Neck Dosing in Low Risk Oropharyngeal Human Papillomavirus-Related Cancer Treatment (ENLIGHT): A Single Arm Prospective Phase II Assessing 30 Gy Elective Neck Dose

Evaluating a Decreased Dose of Radiation Therapy to the Elective Neck for the Treatment of HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer, ENLIGHT Trial (NCT07178301) is a Phase 2 interventional studying Clinical Stage I HPV-Mediated (p16-Positive) Oropharyngeal Carcinoma AJCC v8 and Clinical Stage II HPV-Mediated (p16-Positive) Oropharyngeal Carcinoma AJCC v8, sponsored by Northwestern University. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

This clinical trial evaluates how decreasing the dose of radiation to the elective neck (areas of lymph nodes not directly involved in the cancer) impacts treatment outcomes in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy plays an important role in the treatment of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer, but it also causes significant toxicities. Given the significant toxicities associated with treatment, and the excellent outcomes of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer, researchers are attempting to identify methods to de-escalate treatment for HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer in an effort to maintain excellent treatment outcomes while reducing the risk of toxicities. Reducing the dose of radiation therapy to the lymph nodes in the neck that aren't directly involved in the cancer may improve patient quality of life while still maintaining excellent rates of cure of disease.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Clinical Stage I HPV-Mediated (p16-Positive) Oropharyngeal Carcinoma AJCC v8 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.

Target enrollment of 100 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused Clinical Stage I HPV-Mediated (p16-Positive) Oropharyngeal Carcinoma AJCC v8 subpopulation. At this scale, the study has enough statistical power to detect a clear treatment effect but is not the largest cohort in the field.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: - 3.1.1 Patients must have a diagnosed by tissue sample (biopsy-confirmed) HPV-related OPSCC, confirmed by HPV insitu hybridization. - 3.1.2 Patients must not have received prior treatment (i.e., no induction chemotherapy). - 3.1.3 Patients must have evaluable disease (per RECIST v1.1 response criteria). See Section 6. - 3.3 for the evaluation of measurable disease. - 3.1.4 Patients must be age ≥ 18 years. - 3.1.5 Patients must have AJCC 8 th edition Stage I-II disease, as defined by a T-classification of T1-3, and N-classification of N1-2, without metastases (M0), as defined by physical examination (including nasopharyngolaryngoscopy) and positron emission tomography (PET) - 3.1.6 Patient must receive a staging PET scan prior to registration on study. - 3.1.7 Patients must exhibit an You should be able to carry out daily activities with 0 level of ability (ECOG 0)-1. Please refer to Appendix A ECOG Performance Status Scale. - 3.1.8 Patients may be planned to undergo RT alone or RT with concurrent chemotherapy, with chemotherapy managed at the discretion of the treating medical oncologist per standard of care. ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

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
Inclusion Criteria: * 3.1.1 Patients must have a histologically confirmed HPV-related OPSCC, confirmed by HPV insitu hybridization. * 3.1.2 Patients must not have received prior treatment (i.e., no induction chemotherapy). * 3.1.3 Patients must have evaluable disease (per RECIST v1.1 response criteria). See Section 6. * 3.3 for the evaluation of measurable disease. * 3.1.4 Patients must be age ≥ 18 years. * 3.1.5 Patients must have AJCC 8 th edition Stage I-II disease, as defined by a T-classification of T1-3, and N-classification of N1-2, without metastases (M0), as defined by physical examination (including nasopharyngolaryngoscopy) and positron emission tomography (PET) * 3.1.6 Patient must receive a staging PET scan prior to registration on study. * 3.1.7 Patients must exhibit an ECOG performance status of 0-1. Please refer to Appendix A ECOG Performance Status Scale. * 3.1.8 Patients may be planned to undergo RT alone or RT with concurrent chemotherapy, with chemotherapy managed at the discretion of the treating medical oncologist per standard of care. * 3.1.9 RT is known to be teratogenic to a developing human fetus. For this reason, patients of child-bearing potential (POCBP) must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) from time of informed consent, for the duration of study participation (while actively receiving RT. Should a patient become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately. NOTE: A POCBP is any patient (regardless of sexual orientation, having undergone a tubal ligation, or remaining celibate by choice) who meets the following criteria: • Has not undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy • Has had menses at any time in the preceding 12 consecutive months (and therefore has not been naturally postmenopausal for \> 12 months) * 3.1.10 POCBP must have a negative pregnancy test prior to CT simulation or sign the Department of Radiation Oncology's pregnancy testing declination form. Note: the timing of the pregnancy test/declination form will follow the policy of the Department of Radiology and Oncology, which requires completion of pregnancy testing or signed pregnancy declination prior to CT simulation. * 3.1.11 Patients must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document prior to registration. Exclusion Criteria: * 3.2.1 Patients with cT4, cN3, or cM1 disease by AJCC 8 th edition. * 3.2.2 Patients who have had prior RT to the head/neck region that would result in overlap of RT fields. 3.2.3 Patients who have had prior major surgery to the head/neck region that could disrupt lymphatic flow. * 3.2.4 Patients who have an uncontrolled intercurrent illness that would interfere with the receipt of RT including, but not limited to any of the following, are not eligible: • Uncontrolled connective tissue disorders (e.g. lupus, scleroderma) given potential for this to interfere with RT • Psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements • Any other illness or condition that the treating investigator feels would interfere with study compliance or would compromise the patient's safety or study endpoints

Treatments Being Tested

PROCEDURE

Computed Tomography

Undergo CT

PROCEDURE

Nasopharyngeal Laryngoscopy

Undergo nasopharyngolaryngoscopy

PROCEDURE

Positron Emission Tomography

Undergo PET

OTHER

Questionnaire Administration

Ancillary studies

RADIATION

Radiation Therapy

Undergo radiation therapy

Locations (2)

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.

Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Northwestern Medicine Warrenville
Warrenville, Illinois, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT07178301), the sponsor (Northwestern University), 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 NCT07178301 clinical trial studying?

This clinical trial evaluates how decreasing the dose of radiation to the elective neck (areas of lymph nodes not directly involved in the cancer) impacts treatment outcomes in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy plays an important role in the treatment of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer, but it also causes significant toxicities. Given the significant toxicities associated with treatment, and the excellent outcomes of HPV-rela… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT07178301?

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 NCT07178301?

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.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT07178301. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT07178301. 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.