Active not recruitingPHASE4INTERVENTIONAL

Impact of the Oral Microbiota on Relapse in HNSCC Patients

This research wants to understand if the tiny living things, often called bugs or germs, that naturally live in your mouth, called the 'oral microbiota,' can affect how well head and neck cancer treatment works. Specifically, the study is looking at how these germs might influence whether head and neck cancer returns after patients have had radiotherapy (radiation treatment). By understanding this link, doctors hope to find new ways to help treatment be more successful and reduce the chances of cancer coming back. They will be collecting simple mouth swabs to check these tiny organisms as part of the study.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

PHASE4

Sponsor

Institut Sainte Catherine

Enrolment target

100

Start

18 Nov 2024

Estimated completion

20 Jan 2027

Head and Neck Cancer

What is this study about?

This study is about understanding how the tiny living things that naturally live in your mouth, often called 'oral microbiota,' might affect people with head and neck cancer. Think of your mouth as having its own little community of bacteria and other small organisms. These are usually harmless and live there all the time.

Doctors want to find out if the specific types of these tiny organisms in someone's mouth can make a difference to how well their cancer treatment works, especially after they've had radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is a common and important treatment that uses carefully targeted radiation to kill cancer cells.

By taking part in this study, you would help researchers learn more about why some people's cancer might come back after treatment while others have a longer period without the cancer returning. This knowledge could be really important for developing new ways to help patients in the future and make treatments more effective.

Key takeaways

Researchers are studying tiny mouth germs (oral microbiota) in head and neck cancer patients.
The goal is to see if these germs affect how well radiotherapy works.
Participation involves a simple and painless mouth swab.
This study aims to improve understanding and future treatments for head and neck cancer.
You must be 18 or older and have head and neck cancer to join.

Who may be eligible?

To be able to take part in this study, you must have been diagnosed with head and neck cancer.

There are no specific reasons listed that would prevent you from joining this study. However, the study team will always check your full medical history to make sure taking part is safe and right for you.

This study is for adults aged 18 and older. It is open to both men and women.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Have you been diagnosed with head and neck cancer?
Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you able to provide a simple mouth/cheek swab?
Do you want to help researchers learn more about head and neck cancer?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, the main thing you would do is provide a simple mouth swab. This is a very quick and painless procedure where a small cotton bud is gently rubbed inside your cheek to collect some cells and the tiny organisms living there. This is a one-off collection. There are no medications to take, no special visits beyond your usual appointments, and no long-term follow-up specifically because of this study.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study has very few direct risks; providing a buccal (mouth) swab is a very safe procedure with no known side effects. There are no direct personal medical benefits for you, but the information collected will be very valuable for doctors and researchers to better understand head and neck cancer. This could help future patients by leading to more effective treatments or ways to prevent cancer from returning. Remember, you can choose to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

ICAP
Verified postcode
Avignon, France

Common questions

What is 'oral microbiota'?

It's the natural collection of tiny living things, like bacteria, that live in your mouth. They are usually harmless and are a normal part of your body.

What are buccal swabs?

A buccal swab is a quick and simple procedure where a cotton bud is gently rubbed inside your cheek to collect some cells and tiny organisms. It's painless, like brushing your teeth.

Will taking part change my cancer treatment?

No, taking part in this study will not change how your head and neck cancer is treated. It's about collecting information to help future patients.

Do I need to be a certain age?

Yes, you need to be 18 years old or older to take part in this study.

Is this study safe?

Yes, providing a mouth swab is a very safe and painless procedure with no known risks to your health.