Pembrolizumab Combined With Cetuximab for Treatment of Recurrent/Metastatic Head & Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

NCT ID: NCT03082534

Last Updated: 2026-01-28

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: PHASE2
• Total Enrollment: 78 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2017-03-28
• Study Completion Date: 2025-09-11

Brief Summary

This is a prospective, multi-center, open-label, non-randomized, multi-arm phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy of combination therapy with pembrolizumab and cetuximab for patients with recurrent/metastatic HNSCC. There will be four patient cohorts, including a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-naïve, cetuximab-naïve arm (Cohort 1), a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-refractory, cetuximab-naïve arm (Cohort 2), a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-refractory, cetuximab-refractory arm (Cohort 3), and a cutaneous HNSCC arm (Cohort 4). A total of 83 patients (33 in Cohort 1, 25 in Cohort 2, 15 in Cohort 3, and 10 in Cohort 4) will be eligible to enroll. Patients will be enrolled at 4 sites: UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, UC Los Angeles Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, and University of Washington Siteman Cancer Center.

Detailed Description

Primary Objectives:

To determine the clinical efficacy of pembrolizumab combined with cetuximab for patients with R/M HNSCC.

1. Cohort 1 (PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-naïve, cetuximab-naïve): clinical efficacy defined as overall response rate.

2. Cohort 2 (PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-refractory, cetuximab-naïve): clinical efficacy defined as overall response rate.

3. Cohort 3 (PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-refractory, cetuximab-refractory): clinical efficacy defined as overall response rate.

4. Cohort 4 (cutaneous HNSCC): clinical efficacy defined as overall response rate.

Secondary Objectives:

1. To determine 12 month progression-free survival probability.

2. To determine overall survival.

3. To determine duration of response.

4. To assess safety and tolerability of pembrolizumab combined with cetuximab.

5. To evaluate the correlation between molecular markers and disease outcome.

Conditions

HNSCC; Lip SCC; Oral Cavity Cancer; Oropharynx Cancer; Larynx Cancer; Hypopharynx Cancer; Nasopharynx Cancer; Sinonasal Carcinoma; Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Head and Neck Cancer; Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NON_RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Cohort 1

PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-naïve, cetuximab-naïve

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda®):

Pembrolizumab is administered on an outpatient basis. 200 mg pembrolizumab will be administered as a 30 minute (-5 min/+10 min) intravenous (IV) infusion every 3 weeks.

Cetuximab (Erbitux®):

The initial cetuximab dose of 400mg/m2 is administered on Cycle 1, Day 1 as a 120-minute IV infusion (maximum infusion rate 10mg/min).1 Subsequent weekly cetuximab doses of 250mg/m2 are administered as 60-minute IV infusions (maximum infusion rate 10mg/min).

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Pembrolizumab, Cetuximab

Intervention Type: DRUG

Pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®; MK-3475) is a potent and highly selective humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) of the immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)/kappa isotype designed to directly block the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and programmed cell death ligand 2 (PD-L2). This blockade enhances functional activity of the target lymphocytes to facilitate tumor regression and ultimately immune rejection.

Cetuximab (Erbitux®) binds specifically to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on both normal and tumor cells, and competitively inhibits the binding of EGF and other ligands, such as transforming growth factor-alpha. Cetuximab can mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), with in vitro assays and in vivo animal studies demonstrating that cetuximab inhibits the growth and survival of tumor cells expressing EGFR.

Cohort 2

PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-refractory, cetuximab-naïve

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda®):

Pembrolizumab is administered on an outpatient basis. 200 mg pembrolizumab will be administered as a 30 minute (-5 min/+10 min) intravenous (IV) infusion every 3 weeks.

Cetuximab (Erbitux®):

The initial cetuximab dose of 400mg/m2 is administered on Cycle 1, Day 1 as a 120-minute IV infusion (maximum infusion rate 10mg/min).1 Subsequent weekly cetuximab doses of 250mg/m2 are administered as 60-minute IV infusions (maximum infusion rate 10mg/min).

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Pembrolizumab, Cetuximab

Intervention Type: DRUG

Pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®; MK-3475) is a potent and highly selective humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) of the immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)/kappa isotype designed to directly block the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and programmed cell death ligand 2 (PD-L2). This blockade enhances functional activity of the target lymphocytes to facilitate tumor regression and ultimately immune rejection.

Cetuximab (Erbitux®) binds specifically to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on both normal and tumor cells, and competitively inhibits the binding of EGF and other ligands, such as transforming growth factor-alpha. Cetuximab can mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), with in vitro assays and in vivo animal studies demonstrating that cetuximab inhibits the growth and survival of tumor cells expressing EGFR.

Cohort 3

PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-refractory, cetuximab-refractory

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda®):

Pembrolizumab is administered on an outpatient basis. 200 mg pembrolizumab will be administered as a 30 minute (-5 min/+10 min) intravenous (IV) infusion every 3 weeks.

Cetuximab (Erbitux®):

The initial cetuximab dose of 400mg/m2 is administered on Cycle 1, Day 1 as a 120-minute IV infusion (maximum infusion rate 10mg/min).1 Subsequent weekly cetuximab doses of 250mg/m2 are administered as 60-minute IV infusions (maximum infusion rate 10mg/min).

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Pembrolizumab, Cetuximab

Intervention Type: DRUG

Pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®; MK-3475) is a potent and highly selective humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) of the immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)/kappa isotype designed to directly block the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and programmed cell death ligand 2 (PD-L2). This blockade enhances functional activity of the target lymphocytes to facilitate tumor regression and ultimately immune rejection.

Cetuximab (Erbitux®) binds specifically to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on both normal and tumor cells, and competitively inhibits the binding of EGF and other ligands, such as transforming growth factor-alpha. Cetuximab can mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), with in vitro assays and in vivo animal studies demonstrating that cetuximab inhibits the growth and survival of tumor cells expressing EGFR.

Cohort 4

cutaneous HNSCC

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda®):

Pembrolizumab is administered on an outpatient basis. 200 mg pembrolizumab will be administered as a 30 minute (-5 min/+10 min) intravenous (IV) infusion every 3 weeks.

Cetuximab (Erbitux®):

The initial cetuximab dose of 400mg/m2 is administered on Cycle 1, Day 1 as a 120-minute IV infusion (maximum infusion rate 10mg/min).1 Subsequent weekly cetuximab doses of 250mg/m2 are administered as 60-minute IV infusions (maximum infusion rate 10mg/min).

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Pembrolizumab, Cetuximab

Intervention Type: DRUG

Pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®; MK-3475) is a potent and highly selective humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) of the immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)/kappa isotype designed to directly block the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and programmed cell death ligand 2 (PD-L2). This blockade enhances functional activity of the target lymphocytes to facilitate tumor regression and ultimately immune rejection.

Cetuximab (Erbitux®) binds specifically to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on both normal and tumor cells, and competitively inhibits the binding of EGF and other ligands, such as transforming growth factor-alpha. Cetuximab can mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), with in vitro assays and in vivo animal studies demonstrating that cetuximab inhibits the growth and survival of tumor cells expressing EGFR.

Interventions

Pembrolizumab, Cetuximab

Pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®; MK-3475) is a potent and highly selective humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) of the immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)/kappa isotype designed to directly block the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and programmed cell death ligand 2 (PD-L2). This blockade enhances functional activity of the target lymphocytes to facilitate tumor regression and ultimately immune rejection.

Cetuximab (Erbitux®) binds specifically to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on both normal and tumor cells, and competitively inhibits the binding of EGF and other ligands, such as transforming growth factor-alpha. Cetuximab can mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), with in vitro assays and in vivo animal studies demonstrating that cetuximab inhibits the growth and survival of tumor cells expressing EGFR.

Intervention Type: DRUG

Other Intervention Names

Keytruda®, Erbitux®

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent.

2. Histologically or cytologically proven squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (lip, oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx, non-EBV related nasopharynx, sinonasal, cutaneous), not amenable to curative intent therapy.

3. Platinum-refractory disease, or ineligible/unfit for platinum-based therapy

4. Patients must have at least one measurable site of disease as defined by RECIST v.1.1, determined by investigator review

5. Age ≥ 18 years.

6. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance status 0 or 1.

7. Patient has adequate hematologic, hepatic and renal function

8. Female patient of childbearing potential has a negative serum or urine pregnancy within 72 hours prior to receiving the first dose of study medication.

9. Female patient of childbearing potential agrees to use 2 methods of birth control or be surgically sterile, or abstain from heterosexual activity for the course of the study through 120 days after the last dose of study medication.

10. Male patient with a partner of childbearing potential agrees to use an adequate method of contraception starting with the first dose of study therapy through 120 days after the last dose of study therapy.

Additional Inclusion Criterion for Cohort 1 (PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitor-naïve, Cetuximab-naïve) and Cohort 2 (PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitor-refractory, Cetuximab-naïve):

1. Cetuximab-naïve patients may not have received cetuximab therapy in the recurrent/metastatic setting (treatment in curative setting permitted)

Additional Inclusion Criterion for Cohorts 2 and 3 (PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitor-refractory):

1. PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-refractory patients must have documented disease progression after prior response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy (response defined as stable disease, partial or complete response)

Additional Inclusion Criterion for Cohort 4 (Cutaneous HNSCC):

1. Cutaneous HNSCC must not be amenable to local treatment modalities, including surgery and/or radiation.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Patient has salivary gland primary.

2. Patient is currently receiving or has received another investigational agent within 4 weeks prior to Day 1 of study.

3. Patient has received chemotherapy or radiotherapy within 4 weeks prior to Day 1 of study. Prior palliative radiotherapy to metastatic lesion(s) is permitted, provided there is at least one measurable lesion that has not been radiated.

4. Patient has received a prior anti-cancer monoclonal antibody (mAb) within 4 weeks prior to study Day 1 or who has not recovered (i.e., ≤ Grade 1 or baseline) from adverse events due to a previously administered agents.

5. Patient has had major surgery or insufficient recovery from surgical-related trauma or wound healing within 14 days of Study Day 1.

6. Patient has had a prior Grade ≥ 3 immune-related adverse event (irAE) while receiving any previous immunotherapy agent, or any unresolved irAE > Grade 1.

7. Patient has had prior Grade 4 infusion reaction to cetuximab.

8. Patient has a known additional malignancy that is progressing or requires active treatment. Exceptions include basal cell carcinoma of the skin or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that has undergone potentially curative therapy or in situ cervical cancer.

9. Patient has known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis.

Note: Patients with previously treated brain metastases may participate provided they are stable (without evidence of progression by imaging for at least four weeks prior to the first dose of trial treatment and any neurologic symptoms have returned to baseline), have no evidence of new or enlarging brain metastases, and are not using steroids for at least 7 days prior to trial treatment. This exception does not include carcinomatous meningitis which is excluded regardless of clinical stability.

10. Patient has an active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years (i.e. with use of disease modifying agents, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs).

Notes:

• Patients with vitiligo, Grave's disease, or psoriasis not requiring systemic treatment within the past 2 years are not excluded.
• Replacement therapy (e.g., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is not considered a form of systemic treatment.

11. Patient has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving systemic steroid therapy (>10mg prednisone daily, or steroid equivalent) or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of pembrolizumab.

12. Patient has a known history of active TB (Baccillus Tuberculosis).

13. Patient has a known history of, or any evidence of active, non-infectious pneumonitis.

14. Patient has a known history of chronic interstitial lung disease.

15. Patient has an active infection requiring systemic therapy.

16. Patient has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the trial, interfere with the subject's participation for the full duration of the trial, or is not in the best interest of the subject to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator.

17. Patient has a known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial.

18. Patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive or father children within the projected duration of the trial.

19. Patient has known active Hepatitis B infection (defined as presence of HepB sAg and/ or Hep B DNA), active hepatitis C infection (defined as presence of Hep C RNA) and/or known Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) carrier (HIV 1/2 antibodies).

20. Patient has received a live vaccine within 30 days of study Day 1.

Note: Seasonal influenza vaccines for injection are generally inactivated flu vaccines and are allowed; however intranasal influenza vaccines (e.g., Flu-Mist®) are live attenuated vaccines, and are not allowed.

Additional Exclusion Criterion for Cohorts 1 (PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-naïve, cetuximab-naïve) and 4 (cutaneous):

1. Patient has received any prior immunotherapy with inhibitors of PD-1 or PD-L1.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of California, San Diego

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Assuntina G. Sacco, MD

Assistant Professor, Medicine

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Assuntina Sacco, M.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of California, San Diego

Locations

UCSD Moores Cancer Center

La Jolla, California, United States

University of California Los Angeles Cancer Center

Los Angeles, California, United States

University of Michigan Cancer Center

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Washington School of Medicine Cancer Center

St Louis, Missouri, United States

Countries

United States

References

Sacco AG, Chen R, Worden FP, Wong DJL, Adkins D, Swiecicki P, Chai-Ho W, Oppelt P, Ghosh D, Bykowski J, Molinolo A, Pittman E, Estrada MV, Gold K, Daniels G, Lippman SM, Natsuhara A, Messer K, Cohen EEW. Pembrolizumab plus cetuximab in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: an open-label, multi-arm, non-randomised, multicentre, phase 2 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2021 Jun;22(6):883-892. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(21)00136-4. Epub 2021 May 11.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 33989559 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

MISP 52211

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

160621

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id