First Line Weekly Chemo/Immunotherapy for Metastatic Head/Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients

Launched by WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · Apr 21, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new treatment approach for patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, which is a type of cancer that can occur in various parts of the head and neck. The trial is looking at a combination of chemotherapy (using the drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel) and immunotherapy (using a drug called pembrolizumab) for patients who cannot take another common chemotherapy drug called 5-fluorouracil. The goal is to see how well this treatment works for those whose cancer is no longer manageable with surgery or radiation.

To participate in this trial, patients must be at least 18 years old and have a confirmed diagnosis of recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in areas like the mouth or throat. They should also have a life expectancy of more than three months and meet certain health criteria, such as having normal blood counts. Participants can expect regular visits to monitor their health and the effects of the treatment, along with supportive care to help manage any side effects. It's important to note that pregnant or breastfeeding women cannot take part in this study due to potential risks to the baby.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx or neck node with occult primary but suspected to be non-cutaneous head/neck that is incurable by local therapies (i.e. radiation or surgery) and either locoregionally advanced or with at least one distant metastasis.
• • Histologic or cytologic confirmation of malignancy by pathology report.
• • Not a candidate for infusional 5FU (mucositis, 5-day infusional pump not feasible, patient refusal, other).
• • 18 years old or greater.
• • ECOG performance status of 0-2.
• • Life expectancy of greater than 3 months.
• • Patients must have normal organ and marrow function as defined: Absolute neutrophil count greater than or equal to 1,000/mcL, platelets greater than or equal to 75,000/mcL, total bilirubin less than or equal to 2 mg/dL
• • Ability to understand and the willingness to sign an IRB-approved informed consent document (either directly or via a legally authorized representative).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • No prior systemic cancer-directed therapy administered in the recurrent or metastatic setting. Prior treatments are allowed if they were administered with curative intent prior to incurable progression of disease. Prior treatments for other cancers are also allowed.
• • Untreated, symptomatic central nervous system (CNS) metastases.
• • Active autoimmune disease requiring systemic immunosuppression.
• • History of autoimmune pneumonitis requiring high-dose systemic steroids (equivalent prednisone \>20 mg/day for \>1 week).
• • History of greater than or equal to Grade 3 hypersensitivity reaction to carboplatin or paclitaxel.
• • Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
• • Pregnant women are excluded from this study because paclitaxel and carboplatin are Class D agents with significant potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects. Because there is an unknown but potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with these drugs, breastfeeding should be discontinued during the study.