Chemoradiation vs Immunotherapy and Radiation for Head and Neck Cancer

Running, not enrolling · Phase 2

Conditions studied: Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Cancer, Cancer of Head and Neck, Cancer, Advanced, Cancer, Metastatic, Tumor, Tumor Recurrence, Tumor Neck, Tumor Metastasis, Oral Cancer, Oropharyngeal Cancer, Oropharynx Cancer, Oropharynx Cancer, Stage III, Oropharynx Cancer, Recurrent, Oropharynx Cancer, Metastatic

In brief

The purpose of this study is to compare any good or bad effects of using pembrolizumab (an experimental drug) and radiation therapy (RT), compared to using cisplatin chemotherapy and radiation therapy (RT) in the treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Key facts

Study ID: NCT03383094
Run by: Loren Mell, MD
People needed: 126
Starts: 2018-03-15
Expected to finish: 2027-12-31
Last updated by the study team: 2025-10-07

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

p16-positive squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx, larynx or oral cavity
High-Intermediate Risk Disease, defined as:
T1-T3 N2 M0 or T3 N1 M0 or any stage III (T4 or N3) p16+ squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (AJCC 8th edition staging system)
T1-2 N1-3 M0 or T3-4 N0-3 M0 (stage III-IVB) p16+ squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx or larynx
T1-2 N2-3 M0 or T3-4 N0-3 M0 (stage III-IVB) p16+ squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx
Inoperable T4 N0-3 M0 (stage IVA-IVB) p16+ squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
Measurable disease based on RECIST 1.1
Adequate hematologic function within 28 days prior to registration
Adequate renal and hepatic function
Female subject of childbearing potential should have a negative pregnancy test
Female subjects of childbearing potential must agree to use an adequate method of contraception for the course of the study
Male subjects must agree to use an adequate method of contraception for the course of the study

You may not qualify if…

Prior malignancy within the past 3 years (except non-melanomatous skin cancer and early stage treated prostate cancer);
Prior head and neck radiation, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy;
Prior oncologic (radical) surgery to the primary site;
Documented evidence of distant metastases;
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
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) based upon current CDC definition; note, however, that HIV testing is not required for entry into this protocol.
Any medical or psychiatric illness, which, in the opinion of the principal investigator, would compromise the patient's ability to tolerate this treatment;
Psychiatric/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements
Hypersensitivity to pembrolizumab or any of its excipients.
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). Replacement therapy (eg., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is not considered a form of systemic treatment.
Known history of, or any evidence of active, non-infectious pneumonitis.
Active infection requiring systemic therapy.
Is pregnant or breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive or father children within the projected duration of the trial, starting with the pre-screening or screening visit through 120 days after the last dose of trial treatment.
Has received prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti-PD-L2 agent.
Known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (HIV 1/2 antibodies).
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 of planned start of study therapy.

Where it is running

University of Arizona Cancer Center — Tucson, Arizona, United States
UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center — La Jolla, California, United States
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Facility — Tampa, Florida, United States
Washington University School of Medicine, Siteman Cancer Center — St Louis, Missouri, United States
University of Cincinnati Medical Center — Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center — Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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