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Vaccines (TheraT Vectors) with Carboplatin and Paclitaxel prior to Transoral Robotic Surgery, Radiation Therapy, or Chemoradiation for the Treatment of HPV16 Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer, The TARGET HPV Study

Trial Status: temporarily closed to accrual

This phase I/II trial tests the safety, side effects, best dose, and effectiveness of TheraT vectors (HB-201 and HB-202 vaccines) in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy prior to transoral robotic surgery (TORS), radiation therapy, or chemoradiation in treating patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)16 positive oropharyngeal cancer. HB-201 and HB-202 are vaccines that are made from a gene modified virus that targets specific antigens, such as HPV16, to stimulate the body to build an effective immune response to kill tumor cells. Carboplatin is in a class of medications known as platinum-containing compounds. It works in a way similar to the anticancer drug cisplatin, but may be better tolerated than cisplatin. Carboplatin works by killing, stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells. Paclitaxel is in a class of medications called antimicrotubule agents. It works by stopping the growth and spread of cancer cells. The combination of cancer vaccines and chemotherapy may increase tumor shrinkage to support subsequent surgery or reduce the amount of radiotherapy and chemotherapy needed that could improve overall outcomes and quality of life.