Radiation + Immunotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer

Recruiting at 52 trial locations

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 3

Sponsor: ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group

Must be taking: Pembrolizumab, Chemotherapy

Must not be taking: Corticosteroids, Immunosuppressive drugs

Disqualifiers: Autoimmune disease, Pregnancy, Live vaccines, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Pivotal Trial (Near Approval) This treatment is in the last trial phase before FDA approval

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Breakthrough Therapy This drug has been fast-tracked for approval by the FDA given its high promise

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

290 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether adding radiation therapy to pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug, is more effective than using pembrolizumab alone for treating certain types of head and neck cancer that have spread. Pembrolizumab helps the body's immune system find and destroy cancer cells, while radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Individuals with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity, larynx, or related areas, who have active disease in both the head and neck and other distant sites, might be suitable for this trial. As a Phase 3 trial, this study represents the final step before potential FDA approval, offering participants a chance to contribute to a treatment nearing widespread availability.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you have an active autoimmune disease requiring systemic treatment, you may not be eligible. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the trial team.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that patients generally tolerate pembrolizumab well. Studies have found no new safety concerns when used alone. Pembrolizumab is already approved for other cancer types, indicating its relative safety.

When combined with chemotherapy, pembrolizumab has also been studied for safety. No new safety issues emerged, and this combination has helped patients live longer. This is encouraging for those considering this treatment.

For those interested in using pembrolizumab with radiation, research indicates that adding radiation does not cause unexpected problems. Early safety results from previous studies support its safety in similar situations.

Overall, whether used alone, with chemotherapy, or with radiation, pembrolizumab has demonstrated a promising safety record in various studies. While side effects can occur, serious risks are relatively uncommon based on the available data. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?

Unlike the standard treatments for head and neck cancer, which typically involve surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, the investigational use of pembrolizumab is making waves. Pembrolizumab is an immunotherapy drug that helps your immune system better recognize and attack cancer cells, offering a novel mechanism of action compared to traditional therapies. Researchers are particularly excited about combining pembrolizumab with radiation (Arm A) or with chemotherapy (Arm T), as these combinations could enhance the immune response and potentially improve outcomes. Arm B focuses on using pembrolizumab as a monotherapy, which could offer a less toxic alternative to standard treatments. These innovative approaches may provide new hope for patients by improving efficacy and reducing side effects.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for metastatic head and neck cancer?

Studies have shown that pembrolizumab effectively treats head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, particularly when the cancer recurs or spreads. In this trial, some participants will receive pembrolizumab with chemotherapy, which studies have shown helps patients live longer compared to chemotherapy alone. Other participants will receive pembrolizumab combined with radiation therapy, which research indicates may improve outcomes for patients with advanced cancers by enhancing the immune system's ability to attack cancer cells. Overall, pembrolizumab, whether used alone or with other treatments, has shown promising results in fighting head and neck cancer. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

David J Sher

Principal Investigator

ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Participants must be in good physical condition, have measurable disease, and not have had prior head and neck radiotherapy. They should not be pregnant or breastfeeding, must agree to use contraception, and cannot have an active autoimmune disease requiring recent systemic treatment.

Inclusion Criteria

Patients of childbearing potential and/or sexually active patients must not expect to conceive or father children by using an accepted and effective method(s) of contraception or by abstaining from sexual intercourse for the duration of their participation in the study. Patients of childbearing potential must continue contraceptive measures for 4 months after the last dose of protocol treatment and must not breastfeed while on study treatment through 4 months after the last dose of protocol treatment

You have enough infection-fighting white blood cells.

You have a high level of white blood cells in your body.

Exclusion Criteria

I haven't needed treatment for an autoimmune disease in the last 2 years.

Patient must not be pregnant or breast-feeding due to the potential harm to an unborn fetus and possible risk for adverse events in nursing infants with the treatment regimens being used. All patients of childbearing potential must have a blood test or urine study within 14 days prior to Step 1 registration to rule out pregnancy. A patient of childbearing potential is defined as anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or whether they have undergone tubal ligation, who meets the following criteria: 1) has achieved menarche at some point, 2) has not undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy; or 3) has not been naturally postmenopausal (amenorrhea following cancer therapy does not rule out childbearing potential) for at least 24 consecutive months (i.e., has had menses at any time in the preceding 24 consecutive months)

I haven't had any live vaccines in the last 30 days.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Initial Systemic Therapy

Patients receive pembrolizumab with chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel, or cisplatin and fluorouracil, or carboplatin and fluorouracil)

21 weeks

Regular visits for chemotherapy administration

Randomization and Treatment

Patients are randomized to receive either pembrolizumab with radiation therapy or pembrolizumab monotherapy

Varies based on treatment arm

Regular visits for pembrolizumab and radiation therapy administration

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

Up to 3 years

Periodic visits for imaging and assessments

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Pembrolizumab
• Radiation Therapy

Trial Overview

The study compares two approaches: pembrolizumab combined with radiation therapy versus standard therapy (pembrolizumab alone) after initial chemoimmunotherapy. The goal is to see if adding radiation improves outcomes for patients with this type of cancer that has spread from its original site.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Arm T (pembrolizumab, chemotherapy) Experimental Treatment 5 Interventions

Patients receive pembrolizumab IV with carboplatin IV and paclitaxel IV, or with cisplatin IV and fluorouracil IV, or with carboplatin IV and fluorouracil IV on study.

Group II: Arm A (pembrolizumab and radiation) Experimental Treatment 10 Interventions

Patients receive one cycle of pembrolizumab IV with carboplatin IV and paclitaxel IV, or with cisplatin IV and fluorouracil IV, or with carboplatin IV, and fluorouracil IV on study and then receive pembrolizumab IV with radiation therapy on study. Patients also undergo CT, PET/CT, and/or MRI throughout the trial.

Group III: Arm S (no intervention) Active Control 1 Intervention

Patients proceed directly to Step II.

Group IV: Arm B (pembrolizumab monotherapy) Active Control 9 Interventions

Patients receive one cycle of pembrolizumab IV with carboplatin IV and paclitaxel IV, or with cisplatin IV and fluorouracil IV, or with carboplatin IV, and fluorouracil IV on study and then receive pembrolizumab IV monotherapy on study. Patients also undergo CT, PET/CT, and/or MRI throughout the trial.

Pembrolizumab is already approved in United States, European Union, United Kingdom for the following indications:

Approved in United States as KEYTRUDA for:

• Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with PD-L1 CPS ≥1
• Melanoma
• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
• Urothelial carcinoma
• Colorectal cancer
• Gastric cancer
• Hepatocellular carcinoma
• Renal cell carcinoma
• Cervical cancer
• Endometrial carcinoma

Approved in European Union as KEYTRUDA for:

• Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with PD-L1 CPS ≥1
• Melanoma
• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
• Urothelial carcinoma
• Colorectal cancer
• Gastric cancer
• Hepatocellular carcinoma
• Renal cell carcinoma
• Cervical cancer
• Endometrial carcinoma

Approved in United Kingdom as KEYTRUDA for:

• Untreated metastatic or unresectable recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with PD-L1 CPS ≥1

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group

Lead Sponsor

Trials

122

Recruited

160,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a phase II study involving 29 patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who were ineligible for cisplatin, the combination of pembrolizumab and radiotherapy showed promising efficacy, with a 24-month progression-free survival rate of 71%.

The treatment was generally well-tolerated, although a significant number of patients experienced grade 3/4 lymphopenia (58.6%), indicating the need for monitoring immune cell changes during therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Concurrent Definitive Immunoradiotherapy for Patients with Stage III-IV Head and Neck Cancer and Cisplatin Contraindication. Weiss, J., Sheth, S., Deal, AM., et al.[2023]

In a phase IB study involving 59 patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, the combination of pembrolizumab with cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy was found to be safe, with a high completion rate of treatment and only 8.8% of patients experiencing immune-related adverse events.

The treatment showed promising efficacy, with complete response rates of 85.3% for HPV-positive and 78.3% for HPV-negative patients, suggesting that this combination warrants further investigation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and Efficacy of Pembrolizumab With Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Phase IB Study. Powell, SF., Gold, KA., Gitau, MM., et al.[2022]

Pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA) received accelerated FDA approval for treating recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) based on a study of 174 patients, showing an objective response rate of 16% and a duration of response ranging from 2.4 to 27.7 months.

The safety profile included serious adverse reactions such as pneumonia and respiratory failure, but the overall benefit-risk assessment was deemed acceptable, marking pembrolizumab as the first new treatment option for HNSCC since 2006.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

FDA Approval Summary: Pembrolizumab for the Treatment of Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Disease Progression on or After Platinum-Containing Chemotherapy. Larkins, E., Blumenthal, GM., Yuan, W., et al.[2019]

Pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, has been approved by the FDA for treating platinum-refractory recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC), offering a new option with potentially improved efficacy compared to traditional chemotherapy and EGFR inhibitors.

This review discusses the pharmacology and tolerability of pembrolizumab, emphasizing its mechanism of action by blocking the PD-1 receptor, which may enhance the immune response against HNSCC tumors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pembrolizumab and its use in the treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer. Sheth, S., Weiss, J.[2019]

In a phase III trial, pembrolizumab, a single-agent treatment, showed significant effectiveness in patients with head and neck tumors that had high PD-L1 expression, leading to deep and lasting responses.

This study highlights the potential of pembrolizumab as a first-line therapy for this specific group of cancer patients, suggesting a targeted approach based on PD-L1 levels.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pembro Ups Survival in PD-L1-positive HNSCC. [2019]

In a study involving 133 patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, pembrolizumab combined with radiotherapy did not show a significant improvement in locoregional control or survival compared to the standard treatment of cetuximab with radiotherapy.

However, patients receiving pembrolizumab experienced significantly lower toxicity, with only 74% reporting severe adverse events compared to 92% in the cetuximab group, suggesting it may be a safer option for patients unfit for high-dose cisplatin.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pembrolizumab versus cetuximab concurrent with radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck unfit for cisplatin (GORTEC 2015-01 PembroRad): a multicenter, randomized, phase II trial. Tao, Y., Biau, J., Sun, XS., et al.[2023]

The Phase III trial KEYNOTE-412 is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, when used alongside chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Previous Phase Ib studies have indicated that combining pembrolizumab with CRT is safe and feasible, supporting its potential use in this larger trial to improve treatment outcomes for patients with locally advanced HNSCC.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pembrolizumab given concomitantly with chemoradiation and as maintenance therapy for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: KEYNOTE-412. Machiels, JP., Tao, Y., Burtness, B., et al.[2021]

In a phase 1b trial involving 60 patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, pembrolizumab was found to be well tolerated, with only 17% experiencing severe drug-related adverse events and no drug-related deaths.

The treatment showed clinically meaningful antitumor activity, with an overall response rate of 18%, and particularly higher in HPV-positive patients at 25%, indicating its potential as a viable therapy for advanced head and neck cancers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and clinical activity of pembrolizumab for treatment of recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (KEYNOTE-012): an open-label, multicentre, phase 1b trial. Seiwert, TY., Burtness, B., Mehra, R., et al.[2022]

Pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, has shown significantly improved overall survival in patients with relapsed and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma compared to the standard EXTREME regimen, indicating a promising shift in treatment options.

This review highlights the importance of understanding the mechanisms of immune checkpoint inhibitors, including their interaction with the immune system and the challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity and PD-L1 expression, which are crucial for optimizing patient selection for treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Potential of Pembrolizumab in Metastatic or Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer: Evidence to Date. McCusker, MG., Orkoulas-Razis, D., Mehra, R.[2020]

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Updated Results of the Phase III KEYNOTE-048 Study - PubMed

Pembrolizumab and pembrolizumab-chemotherapy demonstrated efficacy in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in KEYNOTE-048.

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nejm.org

nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2415434

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merck.com

merck.com/news/european-commission-approves-keytruda-pembrolizumab-as-part-of-a-treatment-regimen-for-adults-with-resectable-locally-advanced-head-and-neck-squamous-cell-carcinoma-la-hnscc-expressing-pd-l1/

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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11694497/

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ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.21.02508

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