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Phase 2 N=48 Treatment

Reirradiation With Pembrolizumab in Locoregional Inoperable Recurrence or Second Primary Squamous Cell CA of the Head and Neck

Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer · Carcinoma, Squamous Cell of Head and Neck

Enrolled (actual)
48
Serious AEs
56.3%
Results posted
Mar 2025
Primary outcome: Primary: Progression Free Survival — 7.9 months

Study Design & Population

Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Interventions
Reirradiation (Radiation); MK-3475 (Drug)
Age
Adult, Older Adult · 18+ yrs
Sex
All
Sponsor
Dan Zandberg
Primary completion
Aug 2023

Outcome Measures

OutcomeResultp-value
PRIMARY
Progression Free Survival
7.9
SECONDARY
Best Overall Response Rate (ORR)
56.1
SECONDARY
Clinical Benefit Rate (CBR)
78.0
SECONDARY
Time to in Field Disease Progression
13.1
SECONDARY
Overall Survival (OS)
13.1
SECONDARY
Quality of Life Using EORTC QLQ-C30 - Baseline
58.33; 77.69; 66.33; 71.53; 78.47; 66.67
SECONDARY
Quality of Life Using EORTC QLQ-C30 - Cycle 3
59.96; 78.37; 63.01; 81.25; 76.83; 73.17
SECONDARY
Quality of Life Using EORTC QLQ-C30 - Cycle 9
61.00; 74.93; 64.00; 77.78; 75.33; 71.33
SECONDARY
Quality of Life Using EORTC QLQ-C30 - 12 Months
72.50; 84.67; 85.00; 85.00; 91.67; 86.67
SECONDARY
Quality of Life Using EORTC QLQ-C30 - 36 Months
75.00; 95.56; 88.89; 88.89; 94.44; 66.67
SECONDARY
Quality of Life Using EORTC QLQ-H&N 35 - Baseline
38.89; 40.08; 32.58; 42.68; 39.07; 16.53
SECONDARY
Quality of Life Using EORTC QLQ-H&N 35 - Cycle 3
41.87; 45.83; 43.24; 43.54; 47.97; 16.75
SECONDARY
Quality of Life Using EORTC QLQ-H&N 35 - Cycle 9
29.33; 31.75; 32.54; 40.10; 32.25; 20.27
SECONDARY
Quality of Life Using EORTC QLQ-H&N 35 - 12 Months
10.00; 52.50; 30.00; 51.11; 54.17; 11.33
SECONDARY
Quality of Life Using EORTC QLQ-H&N 35 - 36 Months
0.00; 66.67; 0.00; 59.26; 72.22; 33.33

Summary

Eligible participants with locoregional inoperable recurrence or second primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck will be treated with reirradiation combined with anti-PD-1 mAb MK-3475 (generic name: pembrolizumab, trade name Keytruda®).

Eligibility Criteria

Patients with biopsy proven locoregional recurrence or second primary SCCHN which is unresectable or the patient is unwilling to undergo resection. Determination of unresectability will be based on multidisciplinary review of each case.

Inclusion Criteria

  • Have received only prior radiation treatment course. Prior radiation course must have been with curative intent.
  • At least 6 months since completion of radiation
  • Based on prior radiation records, have had most of the tumor volume (>50%) previously radiated at doses > 45 Gy without exceeding spinal cord tolerance (combining previous and future radiation dose to spinal cord of < 50 Gy).
  • Be willing to undergo percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement, if necessary.
  • Have at least one measurable area of disease based on RECIST 1.1 within the previously radiated field.
  • Have provided adequate tissue for PD-L1 analysis either from an archival tissue sample or fresh biopsy done to confirm recurrence/second primary. Archival tissue sample can only be used if done within 3 months of enrollment on the clinical trial.
  • Performance status of 0 or 1 on the ECOG Performance Scale.
  • Life expectancy greater than 12 weeks
  • Adequate organ function as defined by the protocol

Exclusion Criteria

  • Presence of distant metastatic disease.
  • Is currently participating in or has participated in a study of an investigational agent or used an investigational device within 4 weeks of the first dose of treatment.
  • Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving systemic steroid therapy or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of trial treatment.
  • Has had a prior monoclonal antibody, chemotherapy, or targeted small molecule therapy within 4 weeks prior to study Day 1 or who has not recovered from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4 weeks earlier.
  • History of other malignancy within 5 years with the exception of prior Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, or carcinoma of the cervix.
  • Has an active autoimmune disease
  • Has evidence of interstitial lung disease or active, non-infectious pneumonitis.
  • Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy
  • Has received prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, anti-PD-L2, anti-CD137, or anti-Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) antibody (including ipilimumab or any other antibody or drug specifically targeting T-cell co-stimulation or checkpoint pathways).
  • Has a known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (HIV 1/2 antibodies).
  • Has known active Hepatitis B (e.g., HBsAg reactive) or Hepatitis C (e.g., HCV RNA [qualitative] is detected).
  • Has received a live vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of trial treatment
  • Is pregnant or breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive or father children within the projected duration of the trial.
View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02289209). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.

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