Combination Therapy for PD-1 Resistant Recurrent or Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Bayesian Adaptive Phase II Trial

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Recurrent or Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
• Interventions: Drug: Ivonescimab; Drug: Mitoxantrone Hydrochloride Liposome; Drug: Irinotecan liposome; Drug: Nimotuzumab; Drug: S-1; Drug: PD-1 Inhibitors

• Registration Number: NCT07070479
• Lead Sponsor: Ming-Yuan Chen

Brief Summary

This is a prospective, Bayesian adaptive, phase II clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of four treatment regimens in patients with recurrent (unamenable to local therapy) or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who have failed after at least one prior platinum-containing standard regimen and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.

The four treatment arms include:

1. Ivonescimab monotherapy,

2. Ivonescimab combined with nimotuzumab,

3. Liposomal mitoxantrone plus anti-PD-1 antibody, and

4. Liposomal irinotecan plus S-1.

Detailed Description

Patients with recurrent (not amenable to local therapy) or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who have progressed after at least one prior platinum-containing standard regimen and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy are eligible for this study. This trial adopts a Bayesian Adaptive Randomization with Constant Power parameter (BARCP) design. The planned maximum sample size is 208 patients, with a minimum of 32 patients to be enrolled before potential early termination for futility or efficacy based on interim analysis.

The first 40 patients will be randomized with equal probability to one of the four treatment arms:

1. Ivonescimab monotherapy

2. Ivonescimab combined with nimotuzumab

3. Liposomal mitoxantrone plus an anti-PD-1 antibody

4. Liposomal irinotecan plus S-1

Subsequent randomization probabilities will be updated based on objective response rate (ORR) using interim analyses, which will include decisions for early efficacy, futility, or reassignment of allocation probabilities for future participants. Interim analyses will be conducted every time 16 new patients complete ORR assessment. The minimum allocation probability for each treatment arm is constrained to 5%.

All patients will receive treatment until disease progression (as determined by the investigator based on RECIST 1.1 criteria), intolerable toxicity, withdrawal of informed consent, initiation of new anticancer therapy, loss to follow-up, death, or study completion-whichever occurs first. Regular visits and imaging assessments will be conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the treatment regimens.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-06
• Study Start: 2025-06-24
• Study First Submitted: 2025-06-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-07-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-07-07
• Study First Posted: 2025-07-17
• Last Update Posted: 2025-07-17
• Primary Completion: 2027-01-30
• Study Completion: 2028-01-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 208

Inclusion Criteria

1. Histologically and/or cytologically confirmed recurrent or metastatic non-keratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma (either differentiated or undifferentiated subtype, corresponding to WHO type II or III).

2. Age between 18 and 70 years.

3. Performance Status (PS) score of 0 or 1.

4. Disease progression after prior platinum-based doublet chemotherapy.

5. Received at least one line of systemic therapy previously. (Progression occurring during or within 6 months after definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy, neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy, or treatment completion may be counted as first-line treatment.)

6. Resistance to anti-PD-1 antibody therapy (either combination or sequential), including primary or secondary resistance（PD-1 exposure must be at least 6 weeks.）

7. At least one measurable lesion according to RECIST 1.1 criteria.

8. All acute toxicities from prior anti-tumor therapies have resolved to grade ≤1 (per NCI-CTCAE v5.0) or meet the specified inclusion/exclusion thresholds. (Certain toxicities such as alopecia, hair color changes, nail changes, fatigue, etc., which do not pose safety risks, are exempt.)

9. Adequate organ function:

   Hematology: WBC ≥ 4000/μL, absolute neutrophil count ≥ 2000/μL, hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL, platelets ≥ 100,000/μL.

   Liver function: Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 × upper limit of normal (ULN) (patients with Gilbert's syndrome and bilirubin ≤ 3 × ULN are eligible); AST and ALT ≤ 3 × ULN; alkaline phosphatase ≤ 3 × ULN; albumin ≥ 3 g/dL.

   Coagulation: INR, prothrombin time (PT), or activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) ≤ 1.5 × ULN.

   Renal function: Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 × ULN or creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min calculated by Cockcroft-Gault formula. Proteinuria: Urine protein/creatinine ratio (UPC) < 1.0. For UPC ≤ 0.5, no further testing is required; for UPC > 0.5, 24-hour urine protein must be < 1000 mg for eligibility.

10. Estimated life expectancy of at least 3 months.

11. Signed informed consent and willingness and ability to comply with study visits, treatment plans, laboratory tests, and other study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Locoregional recurrent lesions that are amenable to definitive (curative) treatment, such as surgery.
2. Prior treatment with any regimen included in the study protocol.
3. Prior use of agents targeting the VEGF or VEGFR pathway.
4. Diagnosis and/or treatment of another malignancy within the past 5 years, with the exception of adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix, basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, localized prostate cancer, or ductal carcinoma in situ.
5. Receipt of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, any investigational agent, or other anti-cancer therapy within 4 weeks prior to enrollment (or within 2 weeks for palliative radiotherapy).
6. Tumor encasement of the internal carotid artery or evidence of nasopharyngeal necrosis observed on endoscopy prior to enrollment.
7. Any significant bleeding event (≥ Grade 2, CTCAE v5.0) within 4 weeks prior to enrollment, or visible hemoptysis defined as ≥ 1/2 teaspoon of fresh red blood or blood clots with little or no sputum. Recurrent positive fecal occult blood test (++ or more) during screening also leads to exclusion. (Patients with occasional blood-tinged sputum may be eligible.)
8. Active peptic ulcers or gastrointestinal surgery within 1 month prior to enrollment; history within 6 months of abdominal fistula, gastrointestinal perforation, intra-abdominal abscess, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, esophageal varices, or pathological fracture.
9. Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic >140 mmHg or diastolic >90 mmHg) despite antihypertensive therapy; coronary artery disease ≥ Grade II; or any of the following within 6 months prior to enrollment: myocardial infarction, severe or unstable angina, NYHA class II or higher heart failure, sustained arrhythmia ≥ Grade 2 (including QTc >450 ms in males or >470 ms in females), atrial fibrillation of any grade, coronary or peripheral artery bypass grafting, symptomatic congestive heart failure, or cerebrovascular events (e.g., TIA or symptomatic pulmonary embolism). History of arterial thromboembolism or venous thromboembolism > Grade 3. (ST elevation ≥2 mm on ECG without clinical evidence of myocardial infarction or ischemia is not exclusionary.)
10. History of bleeding diathesis, hemorrhagic disorders, or coagulopathy; current use of anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents including warfarin, heparin, aspirin >325 mg/day, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, or cilostazol, unless discontinued ≥10 days prior to first dose and coagulation parameters meet inclusion criteria.
11. Severe infection requiring intravenous antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals within 4 weeks prior to the first dose, or unexplained fever >38.5°C within 7 days prior to the first dose; baseline WBC >15 × 10⁹/L.
12. Known hypersensitivity to study drugs or excipients, or a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions such as generalized rash/erythema, hypotension, bronchospasm, angioedema, or anaphylaxis.
13. Conditions that may affect oral drug absorption, including dysphagia, nausea/vomiting, chronic diarrhea, or bowel obstruction.
14. Ongoing treatment with immunosuppressants or systemic corticosteroids (>10 mg/day prednisone or equivalent) within 2 weeks prior to the first dose.
15. Presence of any active autoimmune disease or a history of autoimmune diseases likely to recur (including but not limited to interstitial pneumonitis, uveitis, colitis, hepatitis, hypophysitis, nephritis, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism). Exceptions include vitiligo and childhood asthma now in complete remission. Patients with asthma requiring bronchodilator therapy are excluded.
16. History of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other respiratory disease requiring hospitalization within 1 month prior to enrollment; patients with active tuberculosis or those who received anti-TB therapy within 1 year prior to screening.
17. HIV positive; or positive HBsAg with quantifiable HBV DNA ≥1000 cps/mL; or positive anti-HCV antibody.
18. Receipt of live vaccines within 4 weeks prior to first dose or anticipated during the study period.
19. Positive pregnancy test or currently breastfeeding.
20. Women of childbearing potential or sexually active men who are unwilling or unable to use medically accepted methods of contraception during the study period.
21. Any condition, as determined by the investigator, that may interfere with the study results or patient safety, such as substance abuse, serious physical or mental illness requiring concurrent treatment, significant laboratory abnormalities, or adverse social/family circumstances.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Ivonescimab Monotherapy	Ivonescimab	Participants will receive Ivonescimab at a dose of 10 mg/kg via intravenous infusion, Q3W. Treatment will continue until the occurrence of intolerable toxicity, withdrawal of informed consent, initiation of new antitumor therapy, loss to follow-up, or death, whichever occurs first.
Ivonescimab plus Nimotuzumab	Ivonescimab	Participants will receive Ivonescimab at a dose of 10 mg/kg via intravenous infusion, combined with Nimotuzumab 400 mg via intravenous infusion, Q3W. Treatment will continue until the occurrence of intolerable toxicity, withdrawal of informed consent, initiation of new antitumor therapy, loss to follow-up, or death, whichever occurs first.
Ivonescimab plus Nimotuzumab	Nimotuzumab	Participants will receive Ivonescimab at a dose of 10 mg/kg via intravenous infusion, combined with Nimotuzumab 400 mg via intravenous infusion, Q3W. Treatment will continue until the occurrence of intolerable toxicity, withdrawal of informed consent, initiation of new antitumor therapy, loss to follow-up, or death, whichever occurs first.
Mitoxantrone Plus PD-1 Inhibitor	Mitoxantrone Hydrochloride Liposome	Participants will receive mitoxantrone hydrochloride liposome at 20 mg/m² via intravenous infusion, combined with a PD-1 inhibitor - either tislelizumab (200 mg/cycle), camrelizumab (200 mg/cycle), or toripalimab (240 mg/cycle) - Q3W, for up to 8 cycles. After combination therapy, participants will continue receiving PD-1 blockade monotherapy every 3 weeks for up to 2 years, or until the occurrence of intolerable toxicity, withdrawal of informed consent, initiation of new antitumor therapy, loss to follow-up, or death, whichever occurs first.
Irinotecan plus S-1	Irinotecan liposome	Participants will receive liposomal irinotecan at 50 mg/m² via intravenous infusion on D1 and D15, Q4W, in combination with oral S-1 administered BID on D 1-14 of each cycle, for up to 6 cycles. The dose of S-1 is based on body surface area (BSA). BSA \< 1.25 m²: 40 mg per dose ; 1.25 m² ≤ BSA \< 1.5 m²: 50 mg per dose; BSA ≥ 1.5 m²: 60 mg per dose Treatment will continue until the occurrence of intolerable toxicity, withdrawal of informed consent, initiation of new antitumor therapy, loss to follow-up, or death, whichever occurs first.
Irinotecan plus S-1	S-1	Participants will receive liposomal irinotecan at 50 mg/m² via intravenous infusion on D1 and D15, Q4W, in combination with oral S-1 administered BID on D 1-14 of each cycle, for up to 6 cycles. The dose of S-1 is based on body surface area (BSA). BSA \< 1.25 m²: 40 mg per dose ; 1.25 m² ≤ BSA \< 1.5 m²: 50 mg per dose; BSA ≥ 1.5 m²: 60 mg per dose Treatment will continue until the occurrence of intolerable toxicity, withdrawal of informed consent, initiation of new antitumor therapy, loss to follow-up, or death, whichever occurs first.
Mitoxantrone Plus PD-1 Inhibitor	PD-1 Inhibitors	Participants will receive mitoxantrone hydrochloride liposome at 20 mg/m² via intravenous infusion, combined with a PD-1 inhibitor - either tislelizumab (200 mg/cycle), camrelizumab (200 mg/cycle), or toripalimab (240 mg/cycle) - Q3W, for up to 8 cycles. After combination therapy, participants will continue receiving PD-1 blockade monotherapy every 3 weeks for up to 2 years, or until the occurrence of intolerable toxicity, withdrawal of informed consent, initiation of new antitumor therapy, loss to follow-up, or death, whichever occurs first.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Overall response Rate (ORR)	1 year	Defined as the proportion of patients whose tumors shrink to complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) and remain for a certain period of time according to RECIST 1.1

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Progression-free survival (PFS)	1 year	Measured from the date of study drugs start to the date of the first objective disease progression or death.
Adverse events reporting	1 year	Number of participants with treatment-related adverse events as assessed by CTCAE v5.0
Health-related Quality of Life	1 year	Changes from baseline in patient-reported quality of life scores assessed every 2 cycles using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire
Overall Survival (OS)	1 year	Defined as the duration of time from start of treatment to time of death.
Duration of Response (DOR)	1 year	Duration of Response (DOR) is defined as time from the first assessment of CR or PR until the date of the first occurrence of PD, or until the date of death
Head and Neck Cancer-Specific Quality of Life	1year	Changes from baseline in head and neck cancer-specific symptoms and functions assessed every 2 cycles using the EORTC QLQ-H\&N35 module
Disease control rate (DCR)	1 year	Disease Control Rate (DCR) is defined as the percentage of patients who have achieved complete response, partial response and stable disease to a therapeutic intervention in clinical trials of anticancer agents

Trial Locations

Locations (6)

Cancer Center of Guangzhou Medical University; 🇨🇳 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital; 🇨🇳 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; 🇨🇳 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Zhongshan People's Hospital; 🇨🇳 Zhongshan, Guangdong, China

The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University; 🇨🇳 Zhuhai, Guangdong, China

Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; 🇨🇳 Changsha, Hunan, China