MedPath

Testing the Addition of Anti-Cancer Drug, Cetuximab, to Standard of Care Treatment (Pembrolizumab) for Returning or Spreading Head and Neck Cancer After Previous Treatment

Phase 3
Recruiting
Conditions
Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Metastatic Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Metastatic Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Refractory Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Refractory Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Metastatic Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Refractory Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Metastatic Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Recurrent Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Unknown Primary
Recurrent Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Interventions
Procedure: Biospecimen Collection
Procedure: Computed Tomography
Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Procedure: Positron Emission Tomography
Registration Number
NCT06589804
Lead Sponsor
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Brief Summary

This phase III trial compares the effect of adding cetuximab to pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab alone in treating patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) that has come back after a period of improvement (recurrent) and/or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). Cetuximab is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It binds to a protein called EGFR, which is found on some types of tumor cells. This may help keep tumor cells from growing. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the tumor, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving cetuximab and pembrolizumab together may be more effective at treating patients with recurrent and/or metastatic HNSCC than pembrolizumab alone.

Detailed Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To assess whether the combination of cetuximab and pembrolizumab (arm 2) compared to pembrolizumab alone (arm 1) results in improved overall survival (OS) in subjects with platinum refractory HNSCC.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To compare pembrolizumab + cetuximab (arm 2) versus (vs.) pembrolizumab alone (arm 1) with respect to objective response rate per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1.

II. To compare pembrolizumab + cetuximab (arm 2) vs. pembrolizumab alone (arm 1) with respect to progression free survival (PFS) per RECIST 1.1.

III. To evaluate pembrolizumab + cetuximab (arm 2) vs. pembrolizumab alone (arm 1) with respect to duration of response (DOR) per RECIST 1.1.

IV. To assess the safety and tolerability of pembrolizumab + cetuximab (arm 2) vs. pembrolizumab alone (arm 1).

V. To assess the patient-reported toxicity using Patient Reported Outcomes version of Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) of pembrolizumab + cetuximab (arm 2) vs. pembrolizumab alone (arm 1).

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:

I. To identify specific mutational changes that may be indicative of clinical response to pembrolizumab + cetuximab and pembrolizumab alone.

II. To evaluate circulating tumor-derived deoxyribonucleic acid (ctDNA) kinetics over the course of treatment in response to pembrolizumab + cetuximab and pembrolizumab alone.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM 1: Patients receive pembrolizumab intravenously (IV) over 30 minutes on day 1 of each cycle. Cycles repeat every 42 days for up to 18 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET)/CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) throughout the trial and optionally undergo blood sample collection on study and at disease progression or end of treatment.

ARM 2: Patients receive cetuximab IV over 120 minutes on day -14 prior to cycle 1 and then on days 1, 15 and 29 of each cycle and pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1 of each cycle. Cycles repeat every 42 days for up to 18 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo CT, PET/CT or MRI throughout the trial and optionally undergo blood sample collection on study and at disease progression or end of treatment.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up within 4 weeks and then every 3 and/or 6 months for up to 5 years.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
158
Inclusion Criteria
  • Histologically confirmed diagnosis head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC).

  • Previously untreated for recurrent and/or metastatic disease incurable by local therapies.

  • Primary tumor location of oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx.

    • Note: Other primary tumor sites of HNSCC, including nasopharynx primary tumor are not eligible. Unknown primary tumors may be eligible and can be enrolled at the discretion of the treatment team with approval by the study chair.
  • Measurable disease.

  • Must have platinum-refractory disease defined as disease progression during or ≤ 6 months after completion of definitive therapy (chemoradiation therapy) or adjuvant (post-operative) therapy.

  • Patient must have a combined positive score PD-L1 positive (CPS >/= 1) tumor.

  • Any radiation therapy must be completed >= 10 days prior to registration.

  • Patients should not have received any prior treatment in the recurrent or metastatic setting.

  • Prior therapy with anti PD-1/PD-L1 monoclonal antibody or cetuximab in the curative setting is allowed if last treatment dose was >= 6 months prior to registration without evidence of disease progression during that treatment period.

  • Patient has not received a live vaccine within 30 days prior to registration.

  • Patient does not have a history of any contraindication or has a severe hypersensitivity to any component of pembrolizumab or cetuximab (≥ grade 3).

  • Patient has not received chronic systemic steroid therapy (in dosing exceeding 10 mg daily of prednisone or equivalent) or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to registration.

  • Patient with oropharyngeal cancer only must have negative results from testing of human papillomavirus (HPV) status defined as p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or HPV in situ hybridization (ISH).

    • Note: A Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) certified circulating tumor HPV deoxyribonucleic acid (ctHPVDNA) assay can be used if tissue sample is not available.
  • Age ≥ 18 years.

  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤ 2.

  • Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,500/mm^3.

  • Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3.

  • Hemoglobin (Hgb) ≥ 9 g/dL (if < 9 g/dL, then transfusions are acceptable to increase hemoglobin above 9 g/dL).

  • Creatinine ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) OR calculated (calc.) creatinine clearance ≥ 30 mL/min using the Cockcroft-Gault formula for participant with creatinine levels > 1.5 x institutional ULN.

  • Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x ULN OR direct bilirubin < ULN for participant with total bilirubin > 1.5 x institutional ULN.

  • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT])/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase [SGPT]) ≤ 3.0 x ULN unless liver metastases are present in which case < 5.0 x ULN.

  • Not pregnant and not nursing, because this study involves an agent that has known genotoxic, mutagenic, and teratogenic effects.

    • Therefore, for women of childbearing potential only, a negative pregnancy test done ≤ 7 days prior to registration is required.
  • Patients with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen should be included.

  • For treated/stable brain metastases: Patients with treated brain metastases are eligible if follow-up brain imaging after central nervous system (CNS)-directed therapy shows no evidence of progression.

    • Patients with new or progressive brain metastases (active brain metastases) or leptomeningeal disease are eligible if the treating physician determines that immediate CNS specific treatment is not required and is unlikely to be required during the first cycle of therapy.
  • HIV-infected patients on effective anti-retroviral therapy with undetectable viral load within 6 months prior to registration are eligible for this trial.

  • For patients with evidence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the HBV viral load must be undetectable on suppressive therapy, if indicated.

  • Patients with a history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection must have been treated and cured. For patients with HCV infection who are currently on treatment, they are eligible if they have an undetectable HCV viral load.

  • Patients with known history or current symptoms of cardiac disease, or history of treatment with cardiotoxic agents, should have a clinical risk assessment of cardiac function using the New York Heart Association Functional Classification. To be eligible for this trial, patients should be class 2B or better.

  • Patients does not have a history of active myocarditis.

  • Patients does not have a history of any form of pneumonitis or diffuse idiopathic or immune mediated interstitial pulmonary disease.

  • Patient does not have a history of solid organ transplantation.

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Arm 1 (pembrolizumab)PembrolizumabPatients receive pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1 of each cycle. Cycles repeat every 42 days for up to 18 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo CT, PET/CT or MRI throughout the trial and optionally undergo blood sample collection on study and at disease progression or end of treatment.
Arm 2 (cetuximab, pembrolizumab)CetuximabPatients receive cetuximab IV over 120 minutes on day -14 prior to cycle 1 and then on days 1, 15 and 29 of each cycle and pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1 of each cycle. Cycles repeat every 42 days for up to 18 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo CT, PET/CT or MRI throughout the trial and optionally undergo blood sample collection on study and at disease progression or end of treatment.
Arm 1 (pembrolizumab)Biospecimen CollectionPatients receive pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1 of each cycle. Cycles repeat every 42 days for up to 18 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo CT, PET/CT or MRI throughout the trial and optionally undergo blood sample collection on study and at disease progression or end of treatment.
Arm 1 (pembrolizumab)Computed TomographyPatients receive pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1 of each cycle. Cycles repeat every 42 days for up to 18 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo CT, PET/CT or MRI throughout the trial and optionally undergo blood sample collection on study and at disease progression or end of treatment.
Arm 2 (cetuximab, pembrolizumab)Biospecimen CollectionPatients receive cetuximab IV over 120 minutes on day -14 prior to cycle 1 and then on days 1, 15 and 29 of each cycle and pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1 of each cycle. Cycles repeat every 42 days for up to 18 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo CT, PET/CT or MRI throughout the trial and optionally undergo blood sample collection on study and at disease progression or end of treatment.
Arm 1 (pembrolizumab)Magnetic Resonance ImagingPatients receive pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1 of each cycle. Cycles repeat every 42 days for up to 18 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo CT, PET/CT or MRI throughout the trial and optionally undergo blood sample collection on study and at disease progression or end of treatment.
Arm 1 (pembrolizumab)Positron Emission TomographyPatients receive pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1 of each cycle. Cycles repeat every 42 days for up to 18 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo CT, PET/CT or MRI throughout the trial and optionally undergo blood sample collection on study and at disease progression or end of treatment.
Arm 2 (cetuximab, pembrolizumab)Computed TomographyPatients receive cetuximab IV over 120 minutes on day -14 prior to cycle 1 and then on days 1, 15 and 29 of each cycle and pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1 of each cycle. Cycles repeat every 42 days for up to 18 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo CT, PET/CT or MRI throughout the trial and optionally undergo blood sample collection on study and at disease progression or end of treatment.
Arm 2 (cetuximab, pembrolizumab)Magnetic Resonance ImagingPatients receive cetuximab IV over 120 minutes on day -14 prior to cycle 1 and then on days 1, 15 and 29 of each cycle and pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1 of each cycle. Cycles repeat every 42 days for up to 18 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo CT, PET/CT or MRI throughout the trial and optionally undergo blood sample collection on study and at disease progression or end of treatment.
Arm 2 (cetuximab, pembrolizumab)PembrolizumabPatients receive cetuximab IV over 120 minutes on day -14 prior to cycle 1 and then on days 1, 15 and 29 of each cycle and pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1 of each cycle. Cycles repeat every 42 days for up to 18 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo CT, PET/CT or MRI throughout the trial and optionally undergo blood sample collection on study and at disease progression or end of treatment.
Arm 2 (cetuximab, pembrolizumab)Positron Emission TomographyPatients receive cetuximab IV over 120 minutes on day -14 prior to cycle 1 and then on days 1, 15 and 29 of each cycle and pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1 of each cycle. Cycles repeat every 42 days for up to 18 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo CT, PET/CT or MRI throughout the trial and optionally undergo blood sample collection on study and at disease progression or end of treatment.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Overall survivalTime from randomization to death from any cause, assessed up to 5 years

Will be estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Will be based on the stratified log-rank test that will compare the distributions across the treatment arms. Univariable and multivariable Cox models stratified by the stratification factors used in the randomization will be assessed as well, where the multivariable Cox model will also adjust for other key baseline factors of interest. Hazard ratio's (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals, along with likelihood ratio p-values will be reported from these Cox models.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Confirmed response rateUp to 5 years

Will be assessed per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 criteria if patients have a partial or complete response for 2 consecutive evaluations at least 4 weeks apart, using local review only. The proportion of patients with a confirmed response will be calculated and compared between the 2 arms using a Chi-square or Fisher's Exact test.

Duration of responseFrom the date at which the patient's earliest best objective status is first noted to be either a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) to the earliest date progression is documented, assessed up to 5 years

Will be defined for all evaluable patients who have achieved an objective response. Will be assessed per RECIST 1.1 criteria. Will be compared between the 2 arms using the Kaplan-Meier method, where the log-rank test will be used to compare the 2 treatment arms.

Progression free survivalTime from randomization to the first of either disease progression or death from any cause, assessed up to 5 years

Disease progression will be assessed per RECIST 1.1 criteria. Will be compared between the 2 arms using the Kaplan-Meier method, where the log-rank test will be used to calculate the p-value.

Incidence of adverse eventsUp to 5 years

Will be summarized using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0. The frequency and percentage of grade 3+ adverse events will be compared between the 2 treatment arms. Comparisons between arms will be made by using either the Chi-square or Fisher's Exact test.

Patient-reported toxicityUp to 5 years

Will be assessed using Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the CTCAE (PRO-CTCAE). The frequency and proportion of patients with a maximum post-baseline score greater than 0 will be compared across arms using a Chi-square or Fisher's exact test with a nominal significance level of alpha = 0.10. Similarly, the frequency and proportion of patients with a maximum post-baseline score greater than or equal to 3 will be compared across arms using a Chi-square or Fisher's exact test with a nominal significance level of alpha = 0.10. Patients' maximum baseline-adjusted scores will be calculated using the method described by Dueck et al.

Trial Locations

Locations (86)

Fremont - Rideout Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Marysville, California, United States

Lutheran Hospital - Cancer Centers of Colorado

🇺🇸

Golden, Colorado, United States

Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Center-Boise

🇺🇸

Boise, Idaho, United States

Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Center-Caldwell

🇺🇸

Caldwell, Idaho, United States

Kootenai Health - Coeur d'Alene

🇺🇸

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States

Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Center-Nampa

🇺🇸

Nampa, Idaho, United States

Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services - Post Falls

🇺🇸

Post Falls, Idaho, United States

Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services - Sandpoint

🇺🇸

Sandpoint, Idaho, United States

University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Chicago, Illinois, United States

UC Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross

🇺🇸

New Lenox, Illinois, United States

University of Chicago Medicine-Orland Park

🇺🇸

Orland Park, Illinois, United States

UW Health Carbone Cancer Center Rockford

🇺🇸

Rockford, Illinois, United States

Memorial Hospital East

🇺🇸

Shiloh, Illinois, United States

UChicago Medicine Northwest Indiana

🇺🇸

Crown Point, Indiana, United States

Mary Greeley Medical Center

🇺🇸

Ames, Iowa, United States

McFarland Clinic - Ames

🇺🇸

Ames, Iowa, United States

McFarland Clinic - Boone

🇺🇸

Boone, Iowa, United States

Mercy Hospital

🇺🇸

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States

Oncology Associates at Mercy Medical Center

🇺🇸

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States

McFarland Clinic - Trinity Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Fort Dodge, Iowa, United States

McFarland Clinic - Jefferson

🇺🇸

Jefferson, Iowa, United States

McFarland Clinic - Marshalltown

🇺🇸

Marshalltown, Iowa, United States

University of Kansas Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Kansas City, Kansas, United States

The University of Kansas Cancer Center - Olathe

🇺🇸

Olathe, Kansas, United States

University of Kansas Cancer Center-Overland Park

🇺🇸

Overland Park, Kansas, United States

University of Kansas Hospital-Indian Creek Campus

🇺🇸

Overland Park, Kansas, United States

Salina Regional Health Center

🇺🇸

Salina, Kansas, United States

University of Kansas Health System Saint Francis Campus

🇺🇸

Topeka, Kansas, United States

University of Kansas Hospital-Westwood Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Westwood, Kansas, United States

University of Maryland/Greenebaum Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Trinity Health Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital Ann Arbor

🇺🇸

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Hematology Oncology - Brighton

🇺🇸

Brighton, Michigan, United States

Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Hematology Oncology - Canton

🇺🇸

Canton, Michigan, United States

Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Hematology Oncology - Chelsea Hospital

🇺🇸

Chelsea, Michigan, United States

Cancer Hematology Centers - Flint

🇺🇸

Flint, Michigan, United States

Genesee Hematology Oncology PC

🇺🇸

Flint, Michigan, United States

Genesys Hurley Cancer Institute

🇺🇸

Flint, Michigan, United States

Hurley Medical Center

🇺🇸

Flint, Michigan, United States

Trinity Health Saint Mary Mercy Livonia Hospital

🇺🇸

Livonia, Michigan, United States

Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Hematology Oncology Ann Arbor Campus

🇺🇸

Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States

Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Bemidji, Minnesota, United States

Saint Francis Medical Center

🇺🇸

Cape Girardeau, Missouri, United States

Siteman Cancer Center at West County Hospital

🇺🇸

Creve Coeur, Missouri, United States

University Health Truman Medical Center

🇺🇸

Kansas City, Missouri, United States

University of Kansas Cancer Center - North

🇺🇸

Kansas City, Missouri, United States

University of Kansas Cancer Center - Lee's Summit

🇺🇸

Lee's Summit, Missouri, United States

Washington University School of Medicine

🇺🇸

Saint Louis, Missouri, United States

Siteman Cancer Center-South County

🇺🇸

Saint Louis, Missouri, United States

Siteman Cancer Center at Christian Hospital

🇺🇸

Saint Louis, Missouri, United States

Siteman Cancer Center at Saint Peters Hospital

🇺🇸

Saint Peters, Missouri, United States

Community Hospital of Anaconda

🇺🇸

Anaconda, Montana, United States

Billings Clinic Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Billings, Montana, United States

Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital

🇺🇸

Bozeman, Montana, United States

Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute

🇺🇸

Great Falls, Montana, United States

Community Medical Center

🇺🇸

Missoula, Montana, United States

State University of New York Upstate Medical University

🇺🇸

Syracuse, New York, United States

SUNY Upstate Medical Center-Community Campus

🇺🇸

Syracuse, New York, United States

Upstate Cancer Center at Verona

🇺🇸

Verona, New York, United States

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

Margaret R Pardee Memorial Hospital

🇺🇸

Hendersonville, North Carolina, United States

Sanford Bismarck Medical Center

🇺🇸

Bismarck, North Dakota, United States

Sanford Broadway Medical Center

🇺🇸

Fargo, North Dakota, United States

Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Fargo, North Dakota, United States

Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma Research

🇺🇸

Lawton, Oklahoma, United States

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

🇺🇸

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States

Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Center-Ontario

🇺🇸

Ontario, Oregon, United States

Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center

🇺🇸

Oregon City, Oregon, United States

Providence Portland Medical Center

🇺🇸

Portland, Oregon, United States

Providence Saint Vincent Medical Center

🇺🇸

Portland, Oregon, United States

Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest

🇺🇸

Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States

Lehigh Valley Hospital - Muhlenberg

🇺🇸

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States

Pocono Medical Center

🇺🇸

East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, United States

Avera Cancer Institute - Mitchell

🇺🇸

Mitchell, South Dakota, United States

Avera Cancer Institute at Pierre

🇺🇸

Pierre, South Dakota, United States

Sanford Cancer Center Oncology Clinic

🇺🇸

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States

Avera Cancer Institute

🇺🇸

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States

Sanford USD Medical Center - Sioux Falls

🇺🇸

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States

Avera Cancer Institute at Yankton

🇺🇸

Yankton, South Dakota, United States

VCU Massey Cancer Center at Stony Point

🇺🇸

Richmond, Virginia, United States

Virginia Commonwealth University/Massey Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Richmond, Virginia, United States

West Virginia University Charleston Division

🇺🇸

Charleston, West Virginia, United States

Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center

🇺🇸

La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States

ProHealth D N Greenwald Center

🇺🇸

Mukwonago, Wisconsin, United States

ProHealth Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital

🇺🇸

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, United States

ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital

🇺🇸

Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States

UW Cancer Center at ProHealth Care

🇺🇸

Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States

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