A Phase II Window of Opportunity Trial of Neoadjuvant Agonistic Anti-CD40 Antibody CDX-1140 and Cemiplimab (REGN2810) in AJCC Stage III-IV Head and Neck Cancer Patients Prior to Surgery
Study Description
This phase II trial compares the effectiveness of cemiplimab with CDX-1140 to cemiplimab without CDX-1140 prior to surgery in treating patients with stage III-IV head and neck cancer. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as cemiplimab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. CDX-1140 is a monoclonal antibody that may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. A monoclonal antibody is a type of protein that can bind to certain targets in the body, such as molecules that cause the body to make an immune response (antigens). Giving cemiplimab with CDX-1140 versus cemiplimab alone before surgery may make the tumor smaller and may reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed for patients with stage III-IV head and neck cancer.
Eligibility
You can participate in this study if you:
- Patients must have histologically or cytologically confirmed American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage III-IV T0-4, N0-3b, M0 mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) (oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx, nasal cavity and skin) that is appropriate for surgical resection. Both previously untreated (primary) and recurrent (salvage) settings will be eligible. Tumors must be accessible to biopsy in clinic (patients with laryngeal, hypopharyngeal, nasal cavity and base of tongue tumors will have endoscopic biopsies)
- For patients with oropharyngeal cancer, only p16-negative (non-human papillomavirus [HPV] related) patients will be eligible
- Age equal or greater than 18 years. Because no dosing or adverse event (AE) data are currently available on the use of cemiplimab (REGN2810) alone or in combination with CDX-1140 in patients less than 18 years of age, children are excluded from this study
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients on effective anti-retroviral therapy with undetectable viral load within 6 months are eligible for this trial
- For patients with evidence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the HBV viral load must be undetectable on suppressive therapy, if indicated
- Patients with a history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection must have been treated and cured. For patients with HCV infection who are currently on treatment, they are eligible if they have an undetectable HCV viral load
- Patients with known history or current symptoms of cardiac disease, or history of treatment with cardiotoxic agents, should have a clinical risk assessment of cardiac function using the New York Heart Association Functional Classification. To be eligible for this trial, patients should be class II or better
- Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document. Legally authorized representatives may sign and give informed consent on behalf of study participants
You cannot participate in this study if you:
- Active or documented history of autoimmune disease within 2 years before screening
- Prior or planned allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)
- History of organ transplant that requires use of immunosuppressive medications
- Current or prior use of immunosuppressive medication within 14 days prior to the start of study drug administration. Immunosuppressants may interfere with study drug efficacy
- Any previous treatment with a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor, including cemiplimab (REGN2810). It is unclear how prior exposure to immunotherapy would impact future use of checkpoint inhibitors
- Concurrent use of prednisone (10 mg or more)
- Patients with new pulmonary infiltrates indicative of pneumonitis, history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease, or current pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease, including grade 1 pneumonitis (i.e., asymptomatic, clinical or diagnostic observation only, intervention not indicated)
- Patients with uncontrolled intercurrent illness or any other significant condition(s) that would make participation in this protocol unreasonably hazardous
- Pregnant women are excluded from this study because of the increased risk of immune-mediated rejection of the developing fetus with cemiplimab (REGN2810). Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed children, women should not breastfeed during treatment with cemiplimab (REGN2810) and for at least 4 months after the last dose. These risks may also apply to CDX-1140