Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Pembrolizumab Plus Standard Chemotherapy in the Neoadjuvant Treatment of Local Advanced (LA) HNSCC

This study is testing whether adding pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy drug) to standard chemotherapy before surgery or definitive treatment can improve outcomes for people with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). It compares immunotherapy plus chemo against chemotherapy alone as an initial (neoadjuvant) treatment. **You may be eligible if...** - You are 18 years or older - You have been confirmed by biopsy to have Stage IIIA–IVB head and neck squamous cell carcinoma - You have not previously received immunotherapy - Your ECOG performance status is 0–2 - You have measurable disease on imaging - Your organ functions (blood, liver, kidneys) are adequate **You may NOT be eligible if...** - Your cancer has already spread to distant parts of the body (distant metastases) - You are pregnant - You have received a live vaccine in the past 30 days - You have immunodeficiency or are on systemic immunosuppression - You have active brain metastases - You have had a prior organ or tissue transplant Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.