A Study of Head and Neck MRI and Tumor Microenvironment Biomarkers (HN-BIO)

March 3, 2026 updated by: University Health Network, Toronto

HN-BIO: A Study of Head and Neck MRI and Tumor Microenvironment Biomarkers

The purpose of this study is to explore biomarker development in patients with newly diagnosed Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) receiving curative therapy.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

After being informed about the study and potential risks, all patients giving written informed consent will be assigned to Cohort A or Cohort B.

Cohort A will recruit up to 40 patients planned to receive curative radiotherapy for HNSCC. Patients will undergo a baseline fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan and within 72 hours a biopsy of the primary tumor will be performed in out-patient clinic. In week 2 of radiotherapy a further biopsy of the primary site will be performed with a paired fMRI performed within 72 hours prior to biopsy assess evolving changes in imaging and tumor microenvironment biomarkers during radiotherapy. A further optional biopsy and paired MRI scan in week 4 will be considered for patients who are tolerating therapy without toxicities. 16-24 hours prior to each biopsy the volunteer will take oral pimonidazole.

Cohort B will recruit up to 20 patients planned to receive curative surgery for HNSCC. Each patient will undergo a baseline fMRI scan performed within one week prior to surgery. At time of initial consent they will receive a prescription for oral pimonidazole hydrochloride which they will be asked to take the 16-24 hours before planned surgery. Following surgery whole tumor samples will be processed to permit spatial reconstruction of pimonidazole staining hypoxia to correlate with fMRI imaging.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

60

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • Canada
    • Ontario
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 2M9
        • Recruiting
        • Princess Margaret Cancer Center
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Andrew McPartlin

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

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age >/= 18 years
  • Histologically proven Head and Neck Squamous Cell carcinoma
  • Primary or nodal disease > 3cm for biomarker imaging
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status 0-2
  • Planned for curative surgery or (chemo)radiotherapy
  • Willingness to undergo repeat MRI imaging
  • Able to receive and understand verbal and written information regarding study and able to give written informed consent
  • Adequate renal function: Calculated creatinine clearance >/= 30ml/min
  • Be able to lie comfortably on back for 1 hour

Exclusion Criteria:

  • As judged by investigator evidence of systemic disease that makes unsuitable for study
  • Contra-indication for serial MRI scans
  • Previous solid tumor treated within last 5 years
  • Pregnancy
  • History of gadolinium contrast allergy
  • Non-reversible clotting abnormality

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: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Other: Cohort A
Participants who are to receive standard of care radiotherapy will have one biopsy and MRI scan before starting radiotherapy and during week two of radiotherapy. Participants will also have an the option to consent to an additional biopsy and MRI scan during week 4 of radiotherapy. Oral pimonidazole will be taken the night before each biopsy.
Other: fMRI
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Other: Oral Pimonidazole
200 mg and 300 mg tablets
Other: Cohort B
Participants who are to receive standard of care curative surgery will have an MRI scan within one week prior to surgery. Tumor tissue from the surgery will also be collected for research. Oral pimonidazole will be taken the night before surgery.
Other: fMRI
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Other: Oral Pimonidazole
200 mg and 300 mg tablets

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in tumor microenvironment during radiotherapy
Time Frame: Prior to radiotherapy, week 2 and week 4 of radiotherapy
Repeat biopsy will be analyzed for haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), pimonidazole (monoclonal IgG1 antibody, Hypoxyprobe MAb1), endogenous proteins associated with hypoxia and/or immune infiltrate, DNA, and RNA.
Prior to radiotherapy, week 2 and week 4 of radiotherapy
Change in fMRI during radiotherapy
Time Frame: Prior to radiotherapy, week 2 and week 4 of radiotherapy
Assessed through hypoxic regions visible on imaging scans
Prior to radiotherapy, week 2 and week 4 of radiotherapy

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

University Health Network, Toronto

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)

January 29, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

January 15, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

January 15, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 9, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 9, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

October 17, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 5, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 3, 2026

Last Verified

March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 23-5359

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

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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