Major De-escalation to 30 Gy for Select Human Papillomavirus Associated Oropharyngeal Carcinoma

NCT ID: NCT03323463

Last Updated: 2026-01-27

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: PHASE2
• Total Enrollment: 316 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2017-10-16
• Study Completion Date: 2026-10-31

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that participants with HPV positive and hypoxia negative T1-2, N1-2c (AJCC, 7th ed.) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma receiving a major de-escalated radiation therapy with 2 cycles of standard chemotherapy is not inferior to comparable subjects treated with the current standard chemoradiation.

Accrual for Cohort A has been completed.

Cohort B is active and continues to enroll participants where surgery is optional and proton is allowed.

Detailed Description

This non-randomized non-inferiority study will enroll HPV associated oropharyngeal carcinoma subjects. Subjects who also have no evidence of hypoxia will undergo a major de-escalated radiation therapy concurrent with standard chemotherapy. Hypoxia status will be determined by 1 BF-FMISO PET /CT imaging. If this baseline scan shows no evidence of hypoxia, the subject will receive 30Gy concurrent with 2 cycles of chemotherapy. If this baseline scan shows evidence of hypoxia, a repeat 1 BF-FMISO scan will be done 5-10 treatment days after start of radiation therapy. If the repeat 1 BF-FMISO scan PET /CT demonstrates no evidence of hypoxia, the subject will receive 30Gy concurrent with 2 cycles of chemotherapy. If the repeat 1 BF-FMISO scan PET /CT demonstrates hypoxia, the subject will receive 70Gy concurrent with 2 cycles of chemotherapy. At 4 (+/- 4 weeks) months after chemoradiation, a neck dissection will be done unless the subjects FDG PET /CT scan at that time shows no evidence of disease of which the subject can be observed as per current standard of care.

Conditions

HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Neck

Study Design

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

Study Groups

Arm B: HPV associated oropharyngeal carcinoma

HPV associated oropharyngeal carcinoma subjects who also have no evidence of hypoxia.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

F-FMISO PET/CT Scan

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

All subjects on Cohort A and the first 100 subjects accrued to Cohort B will undergo a pre-treatment F-FMISO scan PET/CT scan pretreatment. For both Cohort A and Cohort B, FMISO scan will be repeated between the 5th-10th RT day if pre-treatment scan is hypoxic. If the repeat 18F-FMISOscan PET/CT demonstrates hypoxia, the subject will receive 70Gy concurrent with 2 cycles of chemotherapy. All subjects accrued onto Cohort B after 100 accruals will undergo only one 18F-FMISO scan done 5-10 treatment days after start of radiation therapy.

30 Gy over 3 weeks

Intervention Type: RADIATION

Treatment will be delivered as one fraction per day on a standard 5 day per week schedule (excluding weekends and holidays), total of 30 Gy over 3 weeks at 2 Gy per fraction each day. The gross nodes, the primary/postoperative bed if applicable, all subclinical areas at risk for disease will receive the same dose at 30Gy.

Cisplatin

Intervention Type: DRUG

Cycle 1 (week 1): At the start of week 1 of IMRT, subjects will receive cisplatin 100 mg/m2 intravenously. They may be given for 2 consecutive days (50 mg/m2 each day for a total dose 100 mg/m2), typically on days 1 and 2, or as a single dose, typically on day 1.

Carboplatin

Intervention Type: DRUG

If cisplatin cannot be given at 100 mg/m2 for either cycle 1 or cycle 2, the investigator may use a regimen with carboplatin and 5-Fluorouracil in its place. Carboplatin will be given at a dose of AUC 1.25 intravenously daily x 4 days starting on day 1 of the cycle (total dose of AUC 5). Cycle 2 (Week 4): After the three weeks of radiation at week 4 when the subject no longer is receiving radiation therapy, subjects will receive cisplatin 100 mg/m2 intravenously. The may be given for 2 consecutive days (50 mg/m2 each day for a total dose 100 mg/m2), typically on days 22 and 23, or as a single dose, typically on day 22.

5Fluorouracil

Intervention Type: DRUG

If cisplatin cannot be given at 100 mg/m2 for either cycle 1 or cycle 2, the investigator may use a regimen with carboplatin and 5-Fluorouracil in its place. 5-Fluorouracil will be given at a dose of 600 mg/m2 intravenous infusion over 24 hours daily x 4 days (total dose of 2400 mg/m2 intravenous infusion over 96 hours).

Proton Therapy

Intervention Type: RADIATION

Proton beam using pencil beam delivery either with the Varian or IBA delivery systems will be allowed for Cohort B. Proton beam therapy will be given at the New York Proton Center in New York City, where MSKCC has a well-established business associate agreement and cooperative research agreement with, respectively. If treatment at NYPC is not feasible, patients may be referred to ProCure in Somerset, NJ.

Arm A: HPV associated oropharyngeal carcinoma

HPV associated oropharyngeal carcinoma subjects who also have no evidence of hypoxia. This arm is closed to accrual.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

F-FMISO PET/CT Scan

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

All subjects on Cohort A and the first 100 subjects accrued to Cohort B will undergo a pre-treatment F-FMISO scan PET/CT scan pretreatment. For both Cohort A and Cohort B, FMISO scan will be repeated between the 5th-10th RT day if pre-treatment scan is hypoxic. If the repeat 18F-FMISOscan PET/CT demonstrates hypoxia, the subject will receive 70Gy concurrent with 2 cycles of chemotherapy. All subjects accrued onto Cohort B after 100 accruals will undergo only one 18F-FMISO scan done 5-10 treatment days after start of radiation therapy.

30 Gy over 3 weeks

Intervention Type: RADIATION

Treatment will be delivered as one fraction per day on a standard 5 day per week schedule (excluding weekends and holidays), total of 30 Gy over 3 weeks at 2 Gy per fraction each day. The gross nodes, the primary/postoperative bed if applicable, all subclinical areas at risk for disease will receive the same dose at 30Gy.

Cisplatin

Intervention Type: DRUG

Cycle 1 (week 1): At the start of week 1 of IMRT, subjects will receive cisplatin 100 mg/m2 intravenously. They may be given for 2 consecutive days (50 mg/m2 each day for a total dose 100 mg/m2), typically on days 1 and 2, or as a single dose, typically on day 1.

Carboplatin

Intervention Type: DRUG

If cisplatin cannot be given at 100 mg/m2 for either cycle 1 or cycle 2, the investigator may use a regimen with carboplatin and 5-Fluorouracil in its place. Carboplatin will be given at a dose of AUC 1.25 intravenously daily x 4 days starting on day 1 of the cycle (total dose of AUC 5). Cycle 2 (Week 4): After the three weeks of radiation at week 4 when the subject no longer is receiving radiation therapy, subjects will receive cisplatin 100 mg/m2 intravenously. The may be given for 2 consecutive days (50 mg/m2 each day for a total dose 100 mg/m2), typically on days 22 and 23, or as a single dose, typically on day 22.

5Fluorouracil

Intervention Type: DRUG

If cisplatin cannot be given at 100 mg/m2 for either cycle 1 or cycle 2, the investigator may use a regimen with carboplatin and 5-Fluorouracil in its place. 5-Fluorouracil will be given at a dose of 600 mg/m2 intravenous infusion over 24 hours daily x 4 days (total dose of 2400 mg/m2 intravenous infusion over 96 hours).

Interventions

F-FMISO PET/CT Scan

All subjects on Cohort A and the first 100 subjects accrued to Cohort B will undergo a pre-treatment F-FMISO scan PET/CT scan pretreatment. For both Cohort A and Cohort B, FMISO scan will be repeated between the 5th-10th RT day if pre-treatment scan is hypoxic. If the repeat 18F-FMISOscan PET/CT demonstrates hypoxia, the subject will receive 70Gy concurrent with 2 cycles of chemotherapy. All subjects accrued onto Cohort B after 100 accruals will undergo only one 18F-FMISO scan done 5-10 treatment days after start of radiation therapy.

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

30 Gy over 3 weeks

Treatment will be delivered as one fraction per day on a standard 5 day per week schedule (excluding weekends and holidays), total of 30 Gy over 3 weeks at 2 Gy per fraction each day. The gross nodes, the primary/postoperative bed if applicable, all subclinical areas at risk for disease will receive the same dose at 30Gy.

Intervention Type: RADIATION

Cisplatin

Cycle 1 (week 1): At the start of week 1 of IMRT, subjects will receive cisplatin 100 mg/m2 intravenously. They may be given for 2 consecutive days (50 mg/m2 each day for a total dose 100 mg/m2), typically on days 1 and 2, or as a single dose, typically on day 1.

Intervention Type: DRUG

Carboplatin

If cisplatin cannot be given at 100 mg/m2 for either cycle 1 or cycle 2, the investigator may use a regimen with carboplatin and 5-Fluorouracil in its place. Carboplatin will be given at a dose of AUC 1.25 intravenously daily x 4 days starting on day 1 of the cycle (total dose of AUC 5). Cycle 2 (Week 4): After the three weeks of radiation at week 4 when the subject no longer is receiving radiation therapy, subjects will receive cisplatin 100 mg/m2 intravenously. The may be given for 2 consecutive days (50 mg/m2 each day for a total dose 100 mg/m2), typically on days 22 and 23, or as a single dose, typically on day 22.

Intervention Type: DRUG

5Fluorouracil

If cisplatin cannot be given at 100 mg/m2 for either cycle 1 or cycle 2, the investigator may use a regimen with carboplatin and 5-Fluorouracil in its place. 5-Fluorouracil will be given at a dose of 600 mg/m2 intravenous infusion over 24 hours daily x 4 days (total dose of 2400 mg/m2 intravenous infusion over 96 hours).

Intervention Type: DRUG

Proton Therapy

Proton beam using pencil beam delivery either with the Varian or IBA delivery systems will be allowed for Cohort B. Proton beam therapy will be given at the New York Proton Center in New York City, where MSKCC has a well-established business associate agreement and cooperative research agreement with, respectively. If treatment at NYPC is not feasible, patients may be referred to ProCure in Somerset, NJ.

Intervention Type: RADIATION

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Cohort A: Pathologically (histologically or cytologically) proven diagnosis of HPV associated squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (tonsil, base of tongue, or oropharyngeal walls) from surgical resection or excisional biopsy regardless of margin status.

• Squamous cell carcinoma of the neck of unknown primary is allowed with excision biopsy of a lymph node (or core biopsy) and consent from the PI or co-PIs

• Cohort B: Pathologically (histologically or cytologically) proven diagnosis of HPV associated squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (tonsil, base of tongue, or oropharyngeal walls). Surgical removal of primary site is no longer required.
• Squamous cell carcinoma of the neck of unknown primary is allowed with excision biopsy of a lymph node (or core biopsy) and consent from the PI or co-PIs

• Subjects must have clinically or radiographically evident measurable disease at nodal stations.
• Clinical stage T1-2, N1-2c without evidence of distant metastasis based on FDG PET/CT.
• Patients who have squamous cell carcinoma of the neck of unknown primary, and thus, are T0, are allowed with excision biopsy of a lymph node (or core biopsy) or consent from the PI or co-PI

• CT or MRI of the neck with and without contrast Note: A CT scan of neck and/or a PET/CT performed for the purposes of radiation planning may serve as planning tools.
• ECOG Performance Status of 0-2 or Karnopsky Performance Status >/= 50
• Age ≥ 18
• 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)] [(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
• 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
• The subject must provide study-specific informed consent prior to study entry

Exclusion Criteria

• Subjects with prior head and neck radiation therapy
• Subjects with simultaneous primary cancers outside of the oropharynx
• Note: Exceptions can be made for patients with simultaneous primaries outside the oropharynx if determined by the PI/Co-PI 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 to be 90% or greater
• Prior systemic chemotherapy for the study cancer; note that prior chemotherapy for a different cancer is allowable
• No particle therapy such as but not limited to proton therapy is allowed in Cohort A. For Cohort B, this exclusion is removed.
• 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 or precluding study therapy within 30 days of registration
• Hepatic Insufficiency resulting in clinical jaundice and/or coagulation defects

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

Sponsors

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Nancy Lee, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Locations

Hartford Healthcare (Data Collection)

Hartford, Connecticut, United States

Baptist Alliance MCI (Data Collection Only)

Miami, Florida, United States

Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge

Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States

Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth

Middletown, New Jersey, United States

Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen

Montvale, New Jersey, United States

Memorial Sloan Kettering Commack

Commack, New York, United States

Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester

Harrison, New York, United States

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

New York, New York, United States

Memorial Sloan Kettering Rockville Centre

Rockville Centre, New York, United States

Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau

Uniondale, New York, United States

Countries

United States

References

Lee NY, Sherman EJ, Schoder H, Wray R, Boyle JO, Singh B, Grkovski M, Paudyal R, Cunningham L, Zhang Z, Hatzoglou V, Katabi N, Diplas BH, Han J, Imber BS, Pham K, Yu Y, Zakeri K, McBride SM, Kang JJ, Tsai CJ, Chen LC, Gelblum DY, Shah JP, Ganly I, Cohen MA, Cracchiolo JR, Morris LGT, Dunn LA, Michel LS, Fetten JV, Kripani A, Pfister DG, Ho AL, Shukla-Dave A, Humm JL, Powell SN, Li BT, Reis-Filho JS, Diaz LA, Wong RJ, Riaz N. Hypoxia-Directed Treatment of Human Papillomavirus-Related Oropharyngeal Carcinoma. J Clin Oncol. 2024 Mar 10;42(8):940-950. doi: 10.1200/JCO.23.01308. Epub 2024 Jan 19.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 38241600 (View on PubMed)

Related Links

http://www.mskcc.org

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Other Identifiers

17-409

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id