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A Study on Using Cell-Free Tumor DNA (ctDNA) Testing to Decide When to StartRoutine Treatment in People With Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)- Associated Oropharynx Cancer (OPC)

Phase 2
Recruiting
Conditions
Oropharynx Cancer
HPV
HPV-Related Carcinoma
HPV Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
HPV-Related Malignancy
Interventions
Diagnostic Test: HPV ctDNA Assay
Diagnostic Test: MRI Studies
Behavioral: EORTC QLQ H&N 35 and C30
Behavioral: MDADI-HN
Behavioral: COST-FACIT
Combination Product: Chemoradiation (Arm B)
Radiation: Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (Arm A)
Registration Number
NCT05307939
Lead Sponsor
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Brief Summary

This study will look at whether monitoring HPV ctDNA levels is an effective way to detect cancer relapse risk in people with HPV-OPC. All participants will have recently had surgery to treat their disease, or they will be scheduled to have this surgery.

In Arm A the researchers will see whether monitoring participants' HPV ctDNA levels can safely identify patients who do not need radiation therapy (RT) after surgery and whose RT can be delayed until their HPV ctDNA levels become detectable.

In Arm B, the researchers will see whether patients who usually need 6-6.5 weeks of CRT can be selected by HPV ctDNA to receive 3 weeks of CRT.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age ≥ 18

  • ECOG 0-2

  • HPV-16 squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx or HPV-16 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary . HPV status must be confirmed by in-situ hybridization.

  • HPV ctDNA detectable by HPV digital PCR (Naveris assay) with a minimum of 50 copies/mL pre-operatively.

  • Surgical resection of all gross disease with no gross disease visualized on post-operative imaging.

    o For patients with pT0 (unknown primary) evaluation for the primary should include PET/CT, direct laryngoscopy, ipsilateral tonsillectomy, and targeted biopsy. This should be followed by a neck dissection.

  • Two, undetectable (<1 copy/mL) post-operative HPV ctDNA within 2-6 weeks following surgery (blood drawn at least one week apart preferred).

  • A minimum of one of the following pathologic criteria: (Arm A)

    • AJCC 7 Stage: pT0N1-N2b, pT1N1, pT2N1, or ≥pT3
    • AJCC 7 ≥pN2
    • Lymphovascular invasion
    • Perineural invasion
    • Close pathologic margin (≤ 3 mm)
  • Signed informed consent form by the participant or their legally authorized representative (LAR).

  • A minimum of one of the following pathologic criteria (Arm B):

    • Microscopic positive margin
    • Extracapsular extension
  • Signed informed consent form by the participant or their legally authorized representative (LAR).

Additional criteria for Arm B only:

  • Adequate hematologic function within 30 days prior to registration, defined as follows:

    • White Blood Count (WBC) ≥ 2 K/mcL
    • Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,000 cells/mm3
    • Platelets ≥ 100,000 cells/mm3
    • Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 g/dl; Note: The use of transfusion or other intervention to achieve Hgb ≥ 8.0 g/dl is acceptable
  • Adequate renal function within 30 days prior to registration, defined as follows:

    • Serum creatinine < 1.5 mg/dl or creatinine clearance (CC) ≥ 50 ml/min determined by 24-hour collection or estimated by Cockcroft-Gault formula:
    • CCr male = [(140 - age) x (wt in kg)] divided by [(Serum Cr mg/dl) x (72)]
    • CCr female = 0.85 x (CrCl male)
  • Adequate hepatic function within 30 days prior to registration, defined as follows:

    • Bilirubin < 2 mg/dl o AST or ALT < 3 x the upper limit of normal
  • Negative serum pregnancy test within 14 days prior to registration for women of childbearing potential

Exclusion Criteria
  • Metastatic disease

  • Non-HPV16 genotype (i.e. HPV-18,-31, -33, -35)

  • Patients who receive surgery at outside institution. Exceptions can be made for high-volume surgical centers at the discretion of the PI/co-PI

  • Prior head and neck radiation

  • Patients without pre-operative HPV ctDNA or pre-operative HPV ctDNA ≤ 50 copies/mL

  • Subjects with simultaneous primary cancers outside of the oropharynx

    o Note: Exceptions can be made for patients with simultaneous primaries outside of the oropharynx if determined by the PI/Co-PI, then the patient can proceed with protocol activities

  • Prior invasive malignancy (except non-melanomatous skin cancer) unless disease free for 3 years or if cure rate from treatment at 5 years is 90% or greater

    o Note: Exceptions can be made for patients with prior invasive malignancy if determined by the PI/Co-PI, then the patient can proceed with protocol activities

  • Prior systemic chemotherapy for the study cancer

    o Note: prior chemotherapy for a different cancer is allowable

  • Severe, active co-morbidity defined as follows:

    • Unstable angina and/or congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization within the last 6 months
    • Transmural myocardial infarction within the last 6 months
    • Acute bacterial or fungal infection requiring intravenous antibiotics at the time of registration
    • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation or other respiratory illness requiring hospitalization within 30 days of registration
    • Hepatic insufficiency resulting in clinical jaundice and/or coagulation defects
  • Lack of ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent and complete questionnaires.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Screening, active surveillance, and treatment (Arm A)HPV ctDNA AssayParticipants who meet criteria for the treatment phase (a post-operative HPV ctDNA which rose from initial undetectable to meet HPV16 ctDNA criteria and have no clinical or radiographic evidence of gross disease) will undergo delayed standard of care adjuvant radiation (50-60 Gy administered in 1.8-2 Gy fractions) based on the patient's initial pathology. Treatment will be initiated within 4 weeks of a NavDx result. Subjects will undergo FDG PET/CT simulation and standard radiation treatment planning and this FDG PET/CT will also be utilized to rule out distant metastases. Diagnostic FDG PET/CT fusion is also allowed for treatment planning and to rule out distant metastases. Non-therapeutic assessments will be completed.
Screening and deescalated treatment (Arm B)Chemoradiation (Arm B)Participants who meet criteria for the de-escalated treatment phase (Arm B) will undergo adjuvant radiation (30 Gy administered in 2 Gy fractions) with concurrent chemotherapy. They will undergo FDG PET/CT simulation and standard radiation treatment planning and this FDG PET/CT will also be utilized to rule out distant metastases. Diagnostic FDG PET/CT fusion is also allowed for treatment planning and to rule out distant metastases. Non-therapeutic assessments will be completed and the Study calendar.
Screening and deescalated treatment (Arm B)HPV ctDNA AssayParticipants who meet criteria for the de-escalated treatment phase (Arm B) will undergo adjuvant radiation (30 Gy administered in 2 Gy fractions) with concurrent chemotherapy. They will undergo FDG PET/CT simulation and standard radiation treatment planning and this FDG PET/CT will also be utilized to rule out distant metastases. Diagnostic FDG PET/CT fusion is also allowed for treatment planning and to rule out distant metastases. Non-therapeutic assessments will be completed and the Study calendar.
Screening and deescalated treatment (Arm B)COST-FACITParticipants who meet criteria for the de-escalated treatment phase (Arm B) will undergo adjuvant radiation (30 Gy administered in 2 Gy fractions) with concurrent chemotherapy. They will undergo FDG PET/CT simulation and standard radiation treatment planning and this FDG PET/CT will also be utilized to rule out distant metastases. Diagnostic FDG PET/CT fusion is also allowed for treatment planning and to rule out distant metastases. Non-therapeutic assessments will be completed and the Study calendar.
Screening, active surveillance, and treatment (Arm A)MRI StudiesParticipants who meet criteria for the treatment phase (a post-operative HPV ctDNA which rose from initial undetectable to meet HPV16 ctDNA criteria and have no clinical or radiographic evidence of gross disease) will undergo delayed standard of care adjuvant radiation (50-60 Gy administered in 1.8-2 Gy fractions) based on the patient's initial pathology. Treatment will be initiated within 4 weeks of a NavDx result. Subjects will undergo FDG PET/CT simulation and standard radiation treatment planning and this FDG PET/CT will also be utilized to rule out distant metastases. Diagnostic FDG PET/CT fusion is also allowed for treatment planning and to rule out distant metastases. Non-therapeutic assessments will be completed.
Screening, active surveillance, and treatment (Arm A)MDADI-HNParticipants who meet criteria for the treatment phase (a post-operative HPV ctDNA which rose from initial undetectable to meet HPV16 ctDNA criteria and have no clinical or radiographic evidence of gross disease) will undergo delayed standard of care adjuvant radiation (50-60 Gy administered in 1.8-2 Gy fractions) based on the patient's initial pathology. Treatment will be initiated within 4 weeks of a NavDx result. Subjects will undergo FDG PET/CT simulation and standard radiation treatment planning and this FDG PET/CT will also be utilized to rule out distant metastases. Diagnostic FDG PET/CT fusion is also allowed for treatment planning and to rule out distant metastases. Non-therapeutic assessments will be completed.
Screening and deescalated treatment (Arm B)MDADI-HNParticipants who meet criteria for the de-escalated treatment phase (Arm B) will undergo adjuvant radiation (30 Gy administered in 2 Gy fractions) with concurrent chemotherapy. They will undergo FDG PET/CT simulation and standard radiation treatment planning and this FDG PET/CT will also be utilized to rule out distant metastases. Diagnostic FDG PET/CT fusion is also allowed for treatment planning and to rule out distant metastases. Non-therapeutic assessments will be completed and the Study calendar.
Screening, active surveillance, and treatment (Arm A)EORTC QLQ H&N 35 and C30Participants who meet criteria for the treatment phase (a post-operative HPV ctDNA which rose from initial undetectable to meet HPV16 ctDNA criteria and have no clinical or radiographic evidence of gross disease) will undergo delayed standard of care adjuvant radiation (50-60 Gy administered in 1.8-2 Gy fractions) based on the patient's initial pathology. Treatment will be initiated within 4 weeks of a NavDx result. Subjects will undergo FDG PET/CT simulation and standard radiation treatment planning and this FDG PET/CT will also be utilized to rule out distant metastases. Diagnostic FDG PET/CT fusion is also allowed for treatment planning and to rule out distant metastases. Non-therapeutic assessments will be completed.
Screening, active surveillance, and treatment (Arm A)COST-FACITParticipants who meet criteria for the treatment phase (a post-operative HPV ctDNA which rose from initial undetectable to meet HPV16 ctDNA criteria and have no clinical or radiographic evidence of gross disease) will undergo delayed standard of care adjuvant radiation (50-60 Gy administered in 1.8-2 Gy fractions) based on the patient's initial pathology. Treatment will be initiated within 4 weeks of a NavDx result. Subjects will undergo FDG PET/CT simulation and standard radiation treatment planning and this FDG PET/CT will also be utilized to rule out distant metastases. Diagnostic FDG PET/CT fusion is also allowed for treatment planning and to rule out distant metastases. Non-therapeutic assessments will be completed.
Screening and deescalated treatment (Arm B)MRI StudiesParticipants who meet criteria for the de-escalated treatment phase (Arm B) will undergo adjuvant radiation (30 Gy administered in 2 Gy fractions) with concurrent chemotherapy. They will undergo FDG PET/CT simulation and standard radiation treatment planning and this FDG PET/CT will also be utilized to rule out distant metastases. Diagnostic FDG PET/CT fusion is also allowed for treatment planning and to rule out distant metastases. Non-therapeutic assessments will be completed and the Study calendar.
Screening, active surveillance, and treatment (Arm A)Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (Arm A)Participants who meet criteria for the treatment phase (a post-operative HPV ctDNA which rose from initial undetectable to meet HPV16 ctDNA criteria and have no clinical or radiographic evidence of gross disease) will undergo delayed standard of care adjuvant radiation (50-60 Gy administered in 1.8-2 Gy fractions) based on the patient's initial pathology. Treatment will be initiated within 4 weeks of a NavDx result. Subjects will undergo FDG PET/CT simulation and standard radiation treatment planning and this FDG PET/CT will also be utilized to rule out distant metastases. Diagnostic FDG PET/CT fusion is also allowed for treatment planning and to rule out distant metastases. Non-therapeutic assessments will be completed.
Screening and deescalated treatment (Arm B)EORTC QLQ H&N 35 and C30Participants who meet criteria for the de-escalated treatment phase (Arm B) will undergo adjuvant radiation (30 Gy administered in 2 Gy fractions) with concurrent chemotherapy. They will undergo FDG PET/CT simulation and standard radiation treatment planning and this FDG PET/CT will also be utilized to rule out distant metastases. Diagnostic FDG PET/CT fusion is also allowed for treatment planning and to rule out distant metastases. Non-therapeutic assessments will be completed and the Study calendar.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pathologically confirmed progression free survival2 years

To estimate pathologically confirmed progression free survival (pPFS) two years post-operatively in HPV associated OPC patients who undergo active surveillance.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (7)

Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge (Limited protocol activities)

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Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States

Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth (Limited Protocol Activities)

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Middletown, New Jersey, United States

Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (Limited Protocol Activities)

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Montvale, New Jersey, United States

Memorial Sloan Kettering Suffolk-Commack (Limited Protocol Activities)

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Commack, New York, United States

Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester (Limited Protocol Activites)

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Harrison, New York, United States

Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau (Limited protocol activities)

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Rockville Centre, New York, United States

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (All Protocol Activities)

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New York, New York, United States

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