Intensity Modulated Proton or X-Ray Therapy After Surgery for Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer, the HEADLIGHT Study

April 9, 2026 updated by: Mayo Clinic

HEADLIGHT: Hypofractionated Proton Therapy for Head and Neck Cancers

This clinical trial studies how well intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) or intensity modulated X-ray (radiation) therapy (IMRT) works after surgery in treating patients with head and neck cancer. IMPT is a type of radiation therapy that allows for the most accurate application of proton radiation to the tumor and has the potential to reduce treatment-related side effects. IMRT is a type of 3-dimensional radiation therapy that uses computer-generated images to show the size and shape of the tumor. Thin beams of x-ray radiation of different intensities are aimed at the tumor from many angles. This type of radiation therapy reduces the damage to healthy tissue near the tumor. IMPT may work as well as IMRT after surgery in treating patients with head and neck cancer.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To evaluate the local-regional control among subjects in each arm at 2 years after study registration.

II. To evaluate difference in MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) score between patients with proton and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) adjuvant radiation.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine overall survival, progression free survival, local, regional, distant recurrence risks, and infield and outfield recurrence in the trial at 2 years after study registration.

II. To determine the rate of grade 3+ acute adverse events (from treatment start to 30 days after radiation completion date).

III. To determine the rate and severity of late solicited toxicities. IV. To determine the incidence of secondary acute effects attributable to radiotherapy (e.g., percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy [PEG] tube placement, duration and dose of narcotic analgesia required, weight loss, and hospitalization days).

V. To determine the impact of treatment on patient-reported quality of life. VI. To objectively quantify the severity of oral mucositis during and following radiotherapy.

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:

I. To estimate direct and indirect costs of the study regimen and compare these with standard of care treatment techniques.

II. To correlate histopathologic, molecular, and tumor genetic/epigenetic alterations with clinical outcomes.

III. To correlate circulating biomarkers (micro ribonucleic acid [miRNA], circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid [ctDNA]) with clinical outcomes.

IV. To determine adverse events and patient reported outcomes related to abbreviated concomitant chemotherapy.

V. To qualitatively evaluate patient beliefs regarding tradeoffs of cancer control, treatment time, cost, acute side effects, and late side effects.

VI. To determine cancer outcomes, adverse events, and patient reported outcomes and compare across head and neck subsites, between those aged ≥ 65 to those age < 65 at date of enrollment, between male and female, and in the adjuvant population between time to total package completion (< 9 weeks vs ≥ weeks, surgery = day 0), and by treatment with and without chemotherapy.

VII. To evaluate the predictive relationship of linear energy transfer (LET) weighted modeling using an relative biologic enhancement (RBE)-based model and RBE-independent model with grade 3+ acute and late toxicity.

OUTLINE: Patients who already underwent surgical resection are assigned to Arm A. Patients who have undergone upfront surgical resection and need postoperative radiotherapy are assigned to Arm B or Arm C.

ARM A: Patients undergo intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) or IMRT for 18 sessions over 24 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients may receive cisplatin intravenously (IV) over 1-2 hours per standard of care. Patients undergo computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT or PET/MRI during screening and follow-up. Patients may also undergo blood sample collection throughout the trial.

ARM B: Patients undergo IMPT for 15 sessions over 19 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients may receive cisplatin IV over 1-2 hours per standard of care. Patients undergo CT or MRI and PET/CT or PET/MRI during screening and follow-up. Patients may also undergo blood sample collection throughout the trial.

ARM C: Patients undergo IMRT for 15 sessions over 19 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients may receive cisplatin IV over 1-2 hours per standard of care. Patients undergo CT or MRI and PET/CT or PET/MRI during screening and follow-up. Patients may also undergo blood sample collection throughout the trial.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up within 21 days and then at months 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, 35, 48, and 60.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

174

Phase

  • Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Arizona
      • Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85054
        • Mayo Clinic Hospital in Arizona
      • Scottsdale, Arizona, United States, 85259
        • Mayo Clinic in Arizona
    • Florida
      • Jacksonville, Florida, United States, 32224
        • Mayo Clinic in Florida
    • Minnesota
      • Albert Lea, Minnesota, United States, 56007
        • Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea
      • Mankato, Minnesota, United States, 56001
        • Mayo Clinic Health System - Mankato
      • Northfield, Minnesota, United States, 55057
        • Mayo Clinic Radiation Therapy - Northfield
      • Rochester, Minnesota, United States, 55905
        • Mayo Clinic in Rochester
    • Wisconsin
      • Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States, 54701
        • Mayo Clinic Health System - Eau Claire
      • La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States, 54601
        • Mayo Clinic Health System - Franciscan Healthcare

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age >= 18 years
  • Histological confirmation of a newly diagnosed non-human papillomavirus (HPV) associated malignant epithelial cancer in the head and/or neck. Diagnosis requires confirmation of p16 and/or HPV DNA negativity for oropharyngeal and unknown primary sites. p16 positivity in skin cancers is allowed
  • Primary lesion located in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx, salivary glands, lymph nodes (unknown primary or metastasis from head and neck [HN]-skin primary) or skin cancer where lymph node radiation is recommended

    • NOTE: Patients with primary lesions in the larynx must have a T3 primary, bulky T2 primary (> 6 cc), and/or at least 1 regional lymph node
  • Confirmation of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition defined M0 established by positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) or PET/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (0-1 prior to initial treatment)
  • Able to provide written informed consent
  • Able to complete questionnaires independently or with assistance
  • Willing to return to enrolling institution for follow up during the observation phase

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Co-morbid systemic illnesses or other severe concurrent disease which, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for entry into this study or interfere significantly with the proper assessment of safety and toxicity of the prescribed regimens
  • Immunocompromised patients and patients known to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive and currently receiving antiretroviral therapy

    • NOTE: Patients known to be HIV positive, but without clinical evidence of immunocompromised state, are eligible for this trial
  • Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements
  • Receiving any other investigational agent which would be considered as a treatment for the primary neoplasm
  • Other active malignancy =< 2 years prior to registration

    • EXCEPTIONS: Non-melanotic skin cancer or carcinoma-in-situ of the cervix and prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 6 or less
    • NOTE: If there is a history or prior malignancy, they must not be receiving ongoing anticancer treatment
  • History of myocardial infarction =< 6 months, or congestive heart failure requiring use of ongoing maintenance therapy for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias
  • Prior radiation therapy that would have a clinically significant overlap with the intended head/neck radiation
  • For Arms A and B only: Unable to receive proton therapy because of extensive metallic hardware in close proximity to treatment site, logistical circumstances, or any other reason
  • Any of the following diagnoses: HPV-associated squamous cell carcinoma, germ cell tumors, hematologic malignancies, neuroendocrine malignancies, adenoid cystic carcinoma, sarcomas of bone, benign tumors

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Arm A (IMPT, IMRT, cisplatin)
Patients undergo IMPT or IMRT for 18 sessions over 24 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients may receive cisplatin IV over 1-2 hours per standard of care. Patients undergo CT or MRI and PET/CT or PET/MRI during screening and follow-up. Patients may also undergo blood sample collection throughout the trial.
Ancillary studies
Other Names:
  • Quality of Life Assessment
Ancillary studies
Given IV
Other Names:
  • CDDP
  • Cis-diamminedichloridoplatinum
  • Cismaplat
  • Cisplatinum
  • Neoplatin
  • Platinol
  • Abiplatin
  • Blastolem
  • Briplatin
  • Cis-diammine-dichloroplatinum
  • Cis-diamminedichloro Platinum (II)
  • Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum
  • Cis-dichloroammine Platinum (II)
  • Cis-platinous Diamine Dichloride
  • Cis-platinum
  • Cis-platinum II
  • Cis-platinum II Diamine Dichloride
  • Cisplatina
  • Cisplatyl
  • Citoplatino
  • Citosin
  • Cysplatyna
  • DDP
  • Lederplatin
  • Metaplatin
  • Peyrone's Chloride
  • Peyrone's Salt
  • Placis
  • Plastistil
  • Platamine
  • Platiblastin
  • Platiblastin-S
  • Platinex
  • Platinol- AQ
  • Platinol-AQ
  • Platinol-AQ VHA Plus
  • Platinoxan
  • Platinum
  • Platinum Diamminodichloride
  • Platiran
  • Platistin
  • Platosin
Undergo blood sample collection
Other Names:
  • Biological Sample Collection
  • Specimen Collection
Undergo IMRT
Other Names:
  • IMRT
  • Intensity Modulated RT
  • Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy
  • Intensity modulated radiation therapy (procedure)
  • Intensity Modulated X-ray Therapy
Undergo IMPT
Other Names:
  • IMPT
Undergo CT or PET/CT
Other Names:
  • CT
  • CAT
  • CAT Scan
  • Computed Axial Tomography
  • Computerized Axial Tomography
  • Computerized Tomography
  • CT Scan
  • tomography
  • Computerized axial tomography (procedure)
  • Computerized Tomography (CT) scan
Undergo PET/CT or PET/MRI
Other Names:
  • Medical Imaging, Positron Emission Tomography
  • PET
  • PET Scan
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging
  • PT
  • positron emission tomography scan
  • Positron emission tomography (procedure)
Undergo MRI or PET/MRI
Other Names:
  • MRI
  • Magnetic Resonance
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan
  • MR
  • MR Imaging
  • MRI Scan
  • NMR Imaging
  • NMRI
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Medical Imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance / Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • sMRI
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (procedure)
  • Structural MRI
Experimental: Arm B (IMPT, cisplatin)
Patients undergo IMPT for 15 sessions over 19 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients may receive cisplatin IV over 1-2 hours per standard of care. Patients undergo CT or MRI and PET/CT or PET/MRI during screening and follow-up. Patients may also undergo blood sample collection throughout the trial.
Ancillary studies
Other Names:
  • Quality of Life Assessment
Ancillary studies
Given IV
Other Names:
  • CDDP
  • Cis-diamminedichloridoplatinum
  • Cismaplat
  • Cisplatinum
  • Neoplatin
  • Platinol
  • Abiplatin
  • Blastolem
  • Briplatin
  • Cis-diammine-dichloroplatinum
  • Cis-diamminedichloro Platinum (II)
  • Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum
  • Cis-dichloroammine Platinum (II)
  • Cis-platinous Diamine Dichloride
  • Cis-platinum
  • Cis-platinum II
  • Cis-platinum II Diamine Dichloride
  • Cisplatina
  • Cisplatyl
  • Citoplatino
  • Citosin
  • Cysplatyna
  • DDP
  • Lederplatin
  • Metaplatin
  • Peyrone's Chloride
  • Peyrone's Salt
  • Placis
  • Plastistil
  • Platamine
  • Platiblastin
  • Platiblastin-S
  • Platinex
  • Platinol- AQ
  • Platinol-AQ
  • Platinol-AQ VHA Plus
  • Platinoxan
  • Platinum
  • Platinum Diamminodichloride
  • Platiran
  • Platistin
  • Platosin
Undergo blood sample collection
Other Names:
  • Biological Sample Collection
  • Specimen Collection
Undergo IMPT
Other Names:
  • IMPT
Undergo CT or PET/CT
Other Names:
  • CT
  • CAT
  • CAT Scan
  • Computed Axial Tomography
  • Computerized Axial Tomography
  • Computerized Tomography
  • CT Scan
  • tomography
  • Computerized axial tomography (procedure)
  • Computerized Tomography (CT) scan
Undergo PET/CT or PET/MRI
Other Names:
  • Medical Imaging, Positron Emission Tomography
  • PET
  • PET Scan
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging
  • PT
  • positron emission tomography scan
  • Positron emission tomography (procedure)
Undergo MRI or PET/MRI
Other Names:
  • MRI
  • Magnetic Resonance
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan
  • MR
  • MR Imaging
  • MRI Scan
  • NMR Imaging
  • NMRI
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Medical Imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance / Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • sMRI
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (procedure)
  • Structural MRI
Experimental: Arm C (IMRT, cisplatin)
Patients undergo IMRT for 15 sessions over 19 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients may receive cisplatin IV over 1-2 hours per standard of care. Patients undergo CT or MRI and PET/CT or PET/MRI during screening and follow-up. Patients may also undergo blood sample collection throughout the trial.
Ancillary studies
Other Names:
  • Quality of Life Assessment
Ancillary studies
Given IV
Other Names:
  • CDDP
  • Cis-diamminedichloridoplatinum
  • Cismaplat
  • Cisplatinum
  • Neoplatin
  • Platinol
  • Abiplatin
  • Blastolem
  • Briplatin
  • Cis-diammine-dichloroplatinum
  • Cis-diamminedichloro Platinum (II)
  • Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum
  • Cis-dichloroammine Platinum (II)
  • Cis-platinous Diamine Dichloride
  • Cis-platinum
  • Cis-platinum II
  • Cis-platinum II Diamine Dichloride
  • Cisplatina
  • Cisplatyl
  • Citoplatino
  • Citosin
  • Cysplatyna
  • DDP
  • Lederplatin
  • Metaplatin
  • Peyrone's Chloride
  • Peyrone's Salt
  • Placis
  • Plastistil
  • Platamine
  • Platiblastin
  • Platiblastin-S
  • Platinex
  • Platinol- AQ
  • Platinol-AQ
  • Platinol-AQ VHA Plus
  • Platinoxan
  • Platinum
  • Platinum Diamminodichloride
  • Platiran
  • Platistin
  • Platosin
Undergo blood sample collection
Other Names:
  • Biological Sample Collection
  • Specimen Collection
Undergo IMRT
Other Names:
  • IMRT
  • Intensity Modulated RT
  • Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy
  • Intensity modulated radiation therapy (procedure)
  • Intensity Modulated X-ray Therapy
Undergo CT or PET/CT
Other Names:
  • CT
  • CAT
  • CAT Scan
  • Computed Axial Tomography
  • Computerized Axial Tomography
  • Computerized Tomography
  • CT Scan
  • tomography
  • Computerized axial tomography (procedure)
  • Computerized Tomography (CT) scan
Undergo PET/CT or PET/MRI
Other Names:
  • Medical Imaging, Positron Emission Tomography
  • PET
  • PET Scan
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging
  • PT
  • positron emission tomography scan
  • Positron emission tomography (procedure)
Undergo MRI or PET/MRI
Other Names:
  • MRI
  • Magnetic Resonance
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan
  • MR
  • MR Imaging
  • MRI Scan
  • NMR Imaging
  • NMRI
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Medical Imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance / Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • sMRI
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (procedure)
  • Structural MRI

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Rate of local/regional control (LRF)
Time Frame: At 2 years
The 2-year LRF rate will be estimated by counting the number of patients with a local or regional failure and dividing by the total number of eligible patients.
At 2 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Incidence of acute adverse events
Time Frame: Up to 3 months after radiation therapy
The maximum grade for each type of acute adverse event will be recorded for each patient. Data will be summarized as frequencies and relative frequencies. Additionally, the relationship of the adverse event(s) to the study treatment will be taken into consideration.
Up to 3 months after radiation therapy
Incidence of late adverse events
Time Frame: Up to 3 years after completion of radiation therapy
The maximum grade for each type of late adverse event will be recorded for each patient. Data will be summarized as frequencies and relative frequencies. Additionally, the relationship of the adverse event(s) to the study treatment will be taken into consideration.
Up to 3 years after completion of radiation therapy
Regional recurrence rates
Time Frame: Up to 10 years
The regional head and neck cancer recurrence cumulative incidence will be estimated using a competing risks method (Gooley et al.). The competing risks will be local/distant head and neck cancer recurrence and death.
Up to 10 years
Local recurrence incidence
Time Frame: Up to 10 years
The local head and neck cancer recurrence cumulative incidence will be estimated using a competing risks method (Gooley et al.). The competing risks will be regional/distant head and neck cancer recurrence and death.
Up to 10 years
Distant recurrence rates
Time Frame: Up to 10 years
The distant head and neck cancer recurrence cumulative incidence will be estimated using a competing risks method (Gooley et al.). The competing risks will be local/regional head and neck cancer recurrence and death.
Up to 10 years
Invasive disease-free survival (DFS)
Time Frame: From registration until the time of disease recurrence or death due to any cause, assessed up to 10 years
The DFS will be estimated with a Kaplan-Meier estimator and curve. Estimates will be given for specific time points along with 95% confidence intervals.
From registration until the time of disease recurrence or death due to any cause, assessed up to 10 years
Overall survival (OS)
Time Frame: From registration to death due to any cause, assessed up to 10 years
The OS will be estimated with a Kaplan-Meier estimator and curve. Estimates will be given for specific time points along with 95% confidence intervals.
From registration to death due to any cause, assessed up to 10 years
Incidence of secondary acute effects attributable to radiation therapy
Time Frame: Up to 3 months after completion of radiation therapy
The electronic health record will be reviewed for treatments related to secondary acute effects such as PEG tube placement, duration and dose of narcotic analgesia required, weight loss, and hospitalization days.
Up to 3 months after completion of radiation therapy
Quality of life (QOL) and financial burden - MDADI
Time Frame: Up to 10 years
MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) will be utilized to assess patient reported quality-of-life and financial burden. Changes from baseline to end of therapy as well as repeated measures mixed models will be utilized to assess effect of treatment. The QOL measurements will be summarized at each time point as mean +/- standard deviation and median (minimum value, maximum value). Changes in the QOL measurements from baseline will be determined at each follow-up measurement. These will be displayed as spaghetti plots. The assessment of the changes at each time point will be done with a paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test, whichever is appropriate. Scale of 0 being least and 10 being greatest effect.
Up to 10 years
Quality of life (QOL) and financial burden - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Up to 10 years
European Quality of Life Five Dimension Five Level Scale Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) will be utilized to assess patient reported quality-of-life and financial burden. Changes from baseline to end of therapy as well as repeated measures mixed models will be utilized to assess effect of treatment. The QOL measurements will be summarized at each time point as mean +/- standard deviation and median (minimum value, maximum value). Changes in the QOL measurements from baseline will be determined at each follow-up measurement. These will be displayed as spaghetti plots. The assessment of the changes at each time point will be done with a paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test, whichever is appropriate. Scale of 0 being least and 10 being greatest effect.
Up to 10 years
Quality of life (QOL) and financial burden - OMWQ-HN
Time Frame: Up to 10 years
Oral Mucositis Weekly Questionnaire (OMWQ-HN) will be utilized to assess patient reported quality-of-life and financial burden. Changes from baseline to end of therapy as well as repeated measures mixed models will be utilized to assess effect of treatment. The QOL measurements will be summarized at each time point as mean +/- standard deviation and median (minimum value, maximum value). Changes in the QOL measurements from baseline will be determined at each follow-up measurement. These will be displayed as spaghetti plots. The assessment of the changes at each time point will be done with a paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test, whichever is appropriate. Scale of 0 being least and 10 being greatest effect.
Up to 10 years

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Scott C. Lester, M.D., Mayo Clinic in Rochester

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

February 16, 2022

Primary Completion (Estimated)

November 15, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

November 15, 2035

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 20, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 29, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

October 13, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 13, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 9, 2026

Last Verified

April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

Yes

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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Clinical Trials on Quality-of-Life Assessment

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