ASP-1929 + Pembrolizumab for Head and Neck Cancer

(ECLIPSE Trial)

Recruiting at 16 trial locations

Overseen By ASP-1929-381 Study Team

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 3

Sponsor: Rakuten Medical, Inc.

Must be taking: Pembrolizumab

Must not be taking: Immunosuppressants, Steroids

Disqualifiers: Autoimmune disease, CNS metastases, 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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: Up to 24 months

412 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if ASP-1929 photoimmunotherapy (PIT) in combination with pembrolizumab works to treat recurrent squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (HNSCC) with no distant metastases. It will also learn about the safety of ASP-1929 PIT in combination with pembrolizumab. Researchers will compare ASP-1929 PIT in combination with pembrolizumab to pembrolizumab alone or pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy (carboplatin or cisplatin, plus 5-fluorouracil or paclitaxel or docetaxel) according to physician's choice (control arm). The overall primary study hypothesis being tested is whether ASP-1929 PIT plus pembrolizumab combination treatment improves the overall survival (OS) of the population defined by the inclusion/exclusion criteria over the control arm.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are on systemic chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or certain immunosuppressive treatments, you may need to stop them before starting the trial. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the trial team.

What data supports the effectiveness of the drug pembrolizumab for head and neck cancer?

Pembrolizumab has been shown to be effective for patients with head and neck cancer that has come back or spread after chemotherapy, with about 16% of patients responding to the treatment and some responses lasting over six months. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the combination of ASP-1929 and Pembrolizumab safe for humans?

Pembrolizumab (also known as KEYTRUDA) has been studied in various cancers, including head and neck cancer, and is generally considered to have a manageable safety profile. Common serious side effects include pneumonia, breathing difficulties, confusion, and immune-related issues like inflammation of the lungs, liver, and thyroid problems. The safety of ASP-1929 specifically in combination with Pembrolizumab is not detailed in the provided research. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

What makes the ASP-1929 + Pembrolizumab treatment unique for head and neck cancer?

ASP-1929 + Pembrolizumab is unique because it combines photoimmunotherapy (a treatment that uses light to activate a drug) with pembrolizumab, an immune therapy that helps the body's immune system attack cancer cells. This combination aims to enhance the effectiveness of treatment by using two different mechanisms to target cancer cells. ^{1 4 5 9 10}

Research Team

Bogdan Veresh, MD

Principal Investigator

Rakuten Medical, Inc.

Ethan Chen, MD

Principal Investigator

Rakuten Medical, Inc.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, which hasn't spread to distant parts of the body. Participants must not have had previous treatments that would interfere with this study.

Inclusion Criteria

Have results from testing of HPV status for oropharyngeal cancer

I am eligible for standard first-line treatment with pembrolizumab for my recurring head and neck cancer.

My cancer has not spread to distant parts of my body.

Exclusion Criteria

Life expectancy of less than 3 months

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

I have had a transplant of tissue or an organ from another person.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive ASP-1929 photoimmunotherapy in combination with pembrolizumab or standard of care treatment

Up to 24 months

Every 3 to 6 weeks depending on treatment regimen

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

Up to 48 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• ASP-1929 Photoimmunotherapy
• Pembrolizumab

Trial Overview The study tests ASP-1929 photoimmunotherapy combined with pembrolizumab against either pembrolizumab alone or along with chemotherapy (carboplatin or cisplatin and a choice of 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel, or docetaxel). The goal is to see if combining therapies improves survival.

Participant Groups

Group I: 640 mg/m^2 ASP-1929 Photoimmunotherapy + pembrolizumab Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

ASP-1929 640 mg/m\^2 IV infusion followed by illumination with 690 nm red light at accessible tumor sites using the investigational PIT690 Laser System (24 ± 4 hours after end of ASP-1929 infusion). Treatment with ASP-1929 PIT will be repeated every 4 to 6 weeks depending on clinical judgement of investigators. Pembrolizumab: 200 mg every 3 weeks (Q3W) IV infusion over 30 minutes for the first 6 cycles. After the first 6 cycles, pembrolizumab dosing regimen can be converted from 200 mg Q3W to 400 mg every 6 weeks (Q6W) at the investigator's discretion. Treatment in the experimental arm will start with the infusion of pembrolizumab on Cycle 1 Day 1 (C1D1) after which ASP-1929 Photoimmunotherapy will follow 7 days later, on Treatment 1 Day 1 (T1D1). Patients will be treated with ASP-1929 PIT and pembrolizumab for up to 24 months.

Group II: 320 mg/m^2 ASP-1929 Photoimmunotherapy + pembrolizumab Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

ASP-1929 320 mg/m\^2 IV infusion followed by illumination with 690 nm red light at accessible tumor sites using the investigational PIT690 Laser System (24 ± 4 hours after end of ASP-1929 infusion). Treatment with ASP-1929 PIT will be repeated every 4 to 6 weeks depending on clinical judgement of investigators. Pembrolizumab: 200 mg every 3 weeks (Q3W) IV infusion over 30 minutes for the first 6 cycles. After the first 6 cycles, pembrolizumab dosing regimen can be converted from 200 mg Q3W to 400 mg every 6 weeks (Q6W) at the investigator's discretion. Treatment in the experimental arm will start with the infusion of pembrolizumab on Cycle 1 Day 1 (C1D1) after which ASP-1929 Photoimmunotherapy will follow 7 days later, on Treatment 1 Day 1 (T1D1). Patients will be treated with ASP-1929 PIT and pembrolizumab for up to 24 months.

Group III: Pembrolizumab or pembrolizumab + chemotherapy (Control) Active Control 6 Interventions

Patients in the control arm will receive physician's choice SOC. Patients randomized to SOC may only be treated with one of the following SOC options: 1. Pembrolizumab alone 2. Pembrolizumab + platinum (cisplatin or carboplatin) + 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or taxane (paclitaxel or docetaxel) Pembrolizumab: 200 mg Q3W IV infusion over 30 minutes for the first 6 cycles. After the first 6 cycles, pembrolizumab administration can be switched from 200 mg Q3W to 400 mg Q6W at the investigator's discretion. Cisplatin or carboplatin: AUC 5 mg/mL/min or 100 mg/m\^2 IV infusion on Day 1 of each cycle, Q3W for up to 6 cycles 5-FU: 1000 mg/m\^2 IV infusion per day from Days 1-4 of each cycle, Q3W for up to 6 cycles Paclitaxel: At investigator's choice, 100 mg/m\^2 IV infusion on Day 1 and Day 8 of each 21-day cycle or paclitaxel 175 mg/m\^2 IV infusion on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle for up to 6 cycles Docetaxel: 75 mg/m\^2 IV infusion on Day 1 of each cycle, Q3W for up to 6 cycles

ASP-1929 Photoimmunotherapy is already approved in Japan for the following indications:

Approved in Japan as ASP-1929 for:

• Unresectable locally advanced or recurrent head and neck cancer

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Rakuten Medical, Inc.

Lead Sponsor

Trials

7

Recruited

630+

Findings from Research

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]

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 Keynote-048 study demonstrated that pembrolizumab significantly improves overall survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who have measurable PD-L1 expression, leading to its approval as a first-line treatment in the USA.

In contrast, the EAGLE study found that durvalumab, with or without tremelimumab, did not improve response rates or overall survival compared to standard therapies, highlighting the need for more effective options for patients who do not respond to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Immunotherapy for head and neck cancer : Highlights of the 2019 ASCO Annual Meeting]. Doescher, J., Busch, CJ., Wollenberg, B., et al.[2020]

In a study of 38 patients with p16+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, there was a 76% agreement in PD-L1 combined positive scores (CPS) between primary tumors and lymph node metastases, indicating variability in scoring between these specimens.

The interobserver agreement for CPS scoring was fair to substantial, suggesting that additional evaluations may be necessary to ensure accurate scoring, especially for patients who might benefit from immunotherapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Programmed Death Ligand-1 Combined Positive Score Concordance and Interrater Reliability in Primary Tumors and Synchronous Lymph Node Metastases in Resected Cases of p16+ Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Kaur, A., Kuchta, K., Watkin, W., et al.[2023]

In a phase 3 study involving 495 patients with recurrent or metastatic head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma, pembrolizumab demonstrated a median overall survival of 8.4 months, compared to 6.9 months for standard-of-care treatments, indicating a significant improvement in survival rates.

Pembrolizumab was associated with fewer severe treatment-related adverse events (13%) compared to standard-of-care therapies (36%), suggesting a better safety profile for patients receiving pembrolizumab.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pembrolizumab versus methotrexate, docetaxel, or cetuximab for recurrent or metastatic head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (KEYNOTE-040): a randomised, open-label, phase 3 study. Cohen, EEW., Soulières, D., Le Tourneau, C., et al.[2019]

In a phase II trial involving 15 patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), neoadjuvant treatment with pembrolizumab showed a major pathologic response in 27% of patients, indicating promising antitumor activity before surgery.

The treatment was found to be feasible and safe, with only 33% of patients experiencing moderate adverse events, and no postoperative mortality, suggesting that pembrolizumab does not compromise surgical outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neoadjuvant anti-programmed death-1 immunotherapy by pembrolizumab in resectable non-small cell lung cancer: First clinical experience. Eichhorn, F., Klotz, LV., Kriegsmann, M., et al.[2022]

Pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA) was approved by the FDA for treating unresectable or metastatic melanoma based on two clinical trials involving 1,374 patients, showing significant improvements in overall survival compared to ipilimumab, with hazard ratios indicating a reduced risk of death.

Patients receiving pembrolizumab also experienced significant improvements in progression-free survival, although some immune-mediated adverse reactions like hypothyroidism and pneumonitis were noted, highlighting the importance of monitoring for side effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

FDA Approval Summary: Pembrolizumab for the Treatment of Patients with Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma. Barone, A., Hazarika, M., Theoret, MR., et al.[2022]

Pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA) was approved by the FDA for treating advanced melanoma, showing an overall response rate of 24% in a trial of 89 patients, with 86% of responses lasting at least 6 months.

While there are potential immune-mediated side effects, the benefits of prolonged tumor response durations were deemed to outweigh these risks, marking an improvement over existing treatments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

FDA Approval Summary: Accelerated Approval of Pembrolizumab for Second-Line Treatment of Metastatic Melanoma. Chuk, MK., Chang, JT., Theoret, MR., et al.[2021]

The study evaluated the effectiveness of pembrolizumab and cetuximab, both alone and in combination, on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) using the FLAVINO assay, revealing significant variability in patient responses, particularly in those with cisplatin-resistant cases.

An 'IP-10 score' was developed to predict patient outcomes based on their response to treatment, indicating that higher levels of IP-10 release in response to interferon gamma (IFN-γ) stimulation may correlate with better outcomes for certain HNSCC patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cytokine Profiles of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Dual Immunotherapy With Cetuximab and Pembrolizumab Identify Interferon Gamma-Induced Protein 10 as Novel Biomarker. Berszin, M., Michaelides, I., Siemert, J., et al.[2022]

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]

References

1. England 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. [2019]

2. England 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. [2023]

3. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Immunotherapy for head and neck cancer : Highlights of the 2019 ASCO Annual Meeting]. [2020]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Programmed Death Ligand-1 Combined Positive Score Concordance and Interrater Reliability in Primary Tumors and Synchronous Lymph Node Metastases in Resected Cases of p16+ Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. [2023]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pembrolizumab versus methotrexate, docetaxel, or cetuximab for recurrent or metastatic head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (KEYNOTE-040): a randomised, open-label, phase 3 study. [2019]

6. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neoadjuvant anti-programmed death-1 immunotherapy by pembrolizumab in resectable non-small cell lung cancer: First clinical experience. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

FDA Approval Summary: Pembrolizumab for the Treatment of Patients with Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

FDA Approval Summary: Accelerated Approval of Pembrolizumab for Second-Line Treatment of Metastatic Melanoma. [2021]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cytokine Profiles of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Dual Immunotherapy With Cetuximab and Pembrolizumab Identify Interferon Gamma-Induced Protein 10 as Novel Biomarker. [2022]

10. United States 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. [2022]