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Ph 3 Trial of MK-3475 (Pembrolizumab) vs Standard Treatment in Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer

A Phase III Randomized Trial of MK-3475 (Pembrolizumab) versus Standard Treatment in Subjects with Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer - Ph 3 Trial of MK-3475 (Pembrolizumab) vs Standard Treatment in Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Ca

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
EU CTR
Registry ID
EUCTR2014-001749-26-IE
Enrollment
466
Registered
2014-08-14
Start date
2014-11-21
Completion date
Unknown
Last updated
2017-02-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma MedDRA version: 19.1 Level: PT Classification code 10067821 Term: Head and neck cancer System Organ Class: 10029104 - Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)

Interventions

Sponsors

Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.
Lead Sponsor

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Be willing and able to provide written informed consent for the trial. The subject may also provide consent for Future Biomedical Research. However, the subject may participate in the main trial without participating in Future Biomedical Research. 2. Be > 18 years of age on day of signing informed consent. 3. Have histologically or cytologically-confirmed R/M HNSCC of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx that is considered incurable by local therapies. Subjects may not have any other primary tumor site (e.g. nasopharynx). 4. Prior platinum failure as defined by, either: a. Disease progression after treatment with a platinum-containing regimen for recurrent/metastatic disease Note: Disease progression may occur at any time during or after a platinum-containing regimen (e.g. carboplatin or cisplatin) which was administered in either 1L or 2L in the recurrent/metastatic setting. OR b. Recurrence/progression within 6 months of prior multimodal therapy using platinum (e.g. locally advanced setting) 5. Have results from local testing of HPV positivity for oropharyngeal cancer defined as p16 IHC testing using CINtec® p16 Histology assay and a 70% cut-off point. If HPV status has previously been tested using this procedure, no retesting is required. Note: HPV stratification in this trial will be performed using local or central testing of HPV status in patients with oropharynx cancer. Oral cavity, hypopharynx, and larynx cancer are not required to undergo HPV testing by p16 IHC as by convention assumed to be HPV negative. 6. Have provided tissue for PD-L1 biomarker analysis - and received PD-L1 results (PD-L1 analysis will be blinded to both site and Sponsor) from a newly obtained core or excisional biopsy. Repeat samples may be required if adequate tissue is not provided. Note: Patients for whom newly obtained samples cannot be obtained (e.g. inaccessible or patient safety concern) may submit an archived specimen only upon agreement from the Sponsor. Note: If emerging data indicate a high concordance in PD-L1 expression scores between newly obtained and archival samples, archived samples may be acceptable. 7. Have radiographically measurable disease based on RECIST 1.1 as determined by the site. Tumor lesions situated in a previously irradiated area are considered measurable if progression has been demonstrated in such lesions. 8. Have a performance status of 0 or 1 on the ECOG Performance Scale, as assessed within 10 days of treatment initiation. 9. Demonstrate adequate organ function as defined in Table 1 of the protocol, all screening labs should be performed within 10 days of treatment initiation. 10. Female subjects of childbearing potential should have a negative serum pregnancy test within 72 hours prior to receiving the first dose of study medication. A urine test can be considered if a serum test is not appropriate. 11.Female subjects of childbearing potential should be willing to use 2 methods of birth control or be surgically sterile, or abstain from heterosexual activity for the course of the study through 120 days after the last dose of pembrolizumab (Reference Section 5.7.2) or through 120-180 days after the last dose of docetaxel, methotrexate or cetuximab, according to local standard of care. Subjects of childbearing potential are those who have not been surgically sterilized or have not been free from menses for > 1 year. Note: Abstinence is acceptable if this is the establish;Inclusion criteria: Be willing and able to provide written informed consent for the trial. The subject may also provide consent for Future Biomedical Research. However, the subject may participate in the main trial without participating in Future Biomedical Research. 2. Be > 18 years of age on day of signing informed consent. 3. Have histologically or cytologically-confirmed R/M HNSCC of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx that is considered incurable by local therapies. Subjects may not have any other primary tumor site (e.g. nasopharynx). 4. Prior platinum failure as defined by, either: a. Disease progression after treatment with a platinum-containing regimen for recurrent/metastatic disease Note: Disease progression may occur at any time during or after a platinum-containing regimen (e.g. carboplatin or cisplatin) which was administered in either 1L or 2L in the recurrent/metastatic setting. OR b. Recurrence/progression within 6 months of prior multimodal therapy using platinum (e.g. locally advanced setting) 5. Have results from local testing of HPV positivity for oropharyngeal cancer defined as p16 IHC testing using CINtec® p16 Histology assay and a 70% cut-off point. If HPV status has previously been tested using this procedure, no retesting is required. Note: HPV stratification in this trial will be performed using local or central testing of HPV status in patients with oropharynx cancer. Oral cavity, hypopharynx, and larynx cancer are not required to undergo HPV testing by p16 IHC as by convention assumed to be HPV negative. 6. Have provided tissue for PD-L1 biomarker analysis - and received PD-L1 results (PD-L1 analysis will be blinded to both site and Sponsor) from a newly obtained core or excisional biopsy. Repeat samples may be required if adequate tissue is not provided. Note: Patients for whom newly obtained samples cannot be obtained (e.g. inaccessible or patient safety concern) may submit an archived specimen only upon agreement from the Sponsor. Note: If emerging data indicate a high concordance in PD-L1 expression scores between newly obtained and archival samples, archived samples may be acceptable. 7. Have radiographically measurable disease based on RECIST 1.1 as determined by the site. Tumor lesions situated in a previously irradiated area are considered measurable if progression has been demonstrated in such lesions. 8. Have a performance status of 0 or 1 on the ECOG Performance Scale, as assessed within 10 days of treatment initiation. 9. Demonstrate adequate organ function as defined in Table 1 of the protocol, all screening labs should be performed within 10 days of treatment initiation. 10. Female subjects of childbearing potential should have a negative serum pregnancy test within 72 hours prior to receiving the first dose of study medication. A urine test can be considered if a serum test is not appropriate. 11.Female subjects of childbearing potential should be willing to use 2 methods of birth control or be surgically sterile, or abstain from heterosexual activity for the course of the study through 120 days after the last dose of pembrolizumab (Reference Section 5.7.2) or through 120-180 days after the last dose of docetaxel, methotrexate or cetuximab, according to local standard of care. Subjects of childbearing potential are those who have not been surgically sterilized or have not been free from menses for > 1 year. Note: Abstinence is acceptable if this is the establish;Inclusion criteria: Be willing and able to provide written informed consent for the trial. The subject may also provide consent for Future Biomedical Research. However, the subject may participate in the main trial without participating in Future Biomedical Research. 2. Be > 18 years of age on day of signing informed consent. 3. Have histologically or cytologically-confirmed R/M HNSCC of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx that is considered incurable by local therapies. Subjects may not have any other primary tumor site (e.g. nasopharynx). 4. Prior platinum failure as defined by, either: a. Disease progression after treatment with a platinum-containing regimen for recurrent/metastatic disease Note: Disease progression may occur at any time during or after a platinum-containing regimen (e.g. carboplatin or cisplatin) which was administered in either 1L or 2L in the recurrent/metastatic setting. OR b. Recurrence/progression within 6 months of prior multimodal therapy using platinum (e.g. locally advanced setting) 5. Have results from local testing of HPV positivity for oropharyngeal cancer defined as p16 IHC testing using CINtec® p16 Histology assay and a 70% cut-off point. If HPV status has previously been tested using this procedure, no retesting is required. Note: HPV stratification in this trial will be performed using local or central testing of HPV status in patients with oropharynx cancer. Oral cavity, hypopharynx, and larynx cancer are not required to undergo HPV testing by p16 IHC as by convention assumed to be HPV negative. 6. Have provided tissue for PD-L1 biomarker analysis - and received PD-L1 results (PD-L1 analysis will be blinded to both site and Sponsor) from a newly obtained core or excisional biopsy. Repeat samples may be required if adequate tissue is not provided. Note: Patients for whom newly obtained samples cannot be obtained (e.g. inaccessible or patient safety concern) may submit an archived specimen only upon agreement from the Sponsor. Note: If emerging data indicate a high concordance in PD-L1 expression scores between newly obtained and archival samples, archived samples may be acceptable. 7. Have radiographically measurable disease based on RECIST 1.1 as determined by the site. Tumor lesions situated in a previously irradiated area are considered measurable if progression has been demonstrated in such lesions. 8. Have a performance status of 0 or 1 on the ECOG Performance Scale, as assessed within 10 days of treatment initiation. 9. Demonstrate adequate organ function as defined in Table 1 of the protocol, all screening labs should be performed within 10 days of treatment initiation. 10. Female subjects of childbearing potential should have a negative serum pregnancy test within 72 hours prior to receiving the first dose of study medication. A urine test can be considered if a serum test is not appropriate. 11.Female subjects of childbearing potential should be willing to use 2 methods of birth control or be surgically sterile, or abstain from heterosexual activity for the course of the study through 120 days after the last dose of pembrolizumab (Reference Section 5.7.2) or through 120-180 days after the last dose of docetaxel, methotrexate or cetuximab, according to local standard of care. Subjects of childbearing potential are those who have not been surgically sterilized or have not been free from menses for > 1 year. Note: Abstinence is acceptable if this is the establish

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Has disease that is suitable for local therapy administered with curative intent. 2. Had progressive disease within three months of completion of curatively intended treatment for locoregionally advanced or recurrent HNSCC. Note: this exclusion criteria is only applicable for subjects who have not had treatment in the recurrent/metastatic setting 3. Is currently participating in and receiving study therapy or has participated in a study of an investigational agent and received study therapy or used an investigational device within 4 weeks prior to randomization. Note: Subjects who have entered the follow-up phase of an investigational study may participate as long as it has been 4 weeks since the last dose of trial treatmentthe previous investigational agent or device 4. Was previously treated with 3 or more systemic regimens given for recurrent and/or metastatic disease. 5. Patients previously treated or resistant to one of the 3 standard of care agents in this trial (i.e. docetaxel, methotrexate, or cetuximab) may not receive the same agent if randomized to the standard treatment arm (see Section 5.2 for details). 6. 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. The use of physiologic doses of corticosteroids may be approved after consultation with the Sponsor. 7. Has had a prior anti-cancer monoclonal antibody (mAb) within 4 weeks prior to study Day 1 or who has not recovered (i.e., = Grade 1 or at baseline) from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4 weeks earlier. 8. Has had prior chemotherapy, targeted small molecule therapy, or radiation therapy within 2 weeks prior to study Day 1 or who has not recovered (i.e., = Grade 1 or at baseline) from adverse events due to a previously administered agent. Note: Subjects with = Grade 2 neuropathy or = Grade 2 alopecia are an exception to this criterion and may qualify for the study. Note: If subject received major surgery, they must have recovered adequately from the toxicity and/or complications from the intervention prior to starting therapy. 9. Has a diagnosed and/or treated additional malignancy within 5 years prior to randomization with the exception of curatively treated basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and/or curatively resected in situ cervical and/or breast cancers. 10. Has known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis. Subjects with previously treated brain metastases may participate provided they are stable (without evidence of progression by imaging for at least four weeks prior to the first dose of trial treatment and any neurologic symptoms have returned to baseline), have no evidence of new or enlarging brain metastases, and are not using steroids for at least 7 days prior to trial treatment. This exception does not include carcinomatous meningitis which is excluded regardless of clinical stability. 11. Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in 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 permitted. 12. Has active, non-infectious pneumonitis; 13. Has an active infection requiring systemic the;Exclusion criteria: 1. Has disease that is suitable for local therapy administered with curative intent. 2. Had progressive disease within three months of completion of curatively intended treatment for locoregionally advanced or recurrent HNSCC. Note: this exclusion criteria is only applicable for subjects who have not had treatment in the recurrent/metastatic setting 3. Is currently participating in and receiving study therapy or has participated in a study of an investigational agent and received study therapy or used an investigational device within 4 weeks prior to randomization. Note: Subjects who have entered the follow-up phase of an investigational study may participate as long as it has been 4 weeks since the last dose of trial treatmentthe previous investigational agent or device 4. Was previously treated with 3 or more systemic regimens given for recurrent and/or metastatic disease. 5. Patients previously treated or resistant to one of the 3 standard of care agents in this trial (i.e. docetaxel, methotrexate, or cetuximab) may not receive the same agent if randomized to the standard treatment arm (see Section 5.2 for details). 6. 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. The use of physiologic doses of corticosteroids may be approved after consultation with the Sponsor. 7. Has had a prior anti-cancer monoclonal antibody (mAb) within 4 weeks prior to study Day 1 or who has not recovered (i.e., = Grade 1 or at baseline) from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4 weeks earlier. 8. Has had prior chemotherapy, targeted small molecule therapy, or radiation therapy within 2 weeks prior to study Day 1 or who has not recovered (i.e., = Grade 1 or at baseline) from adverse events due to a previously administered agent. Note: Subjects with = Grade 2 neuropathy or = Grade 2 alopecia are an exception to this criterion and may qualify for the study. Note: If subject received major surgery, they must have recovered adequately from the toxicity and/or complications from the intervention prior to starting therapy. 9. Has a diagnosed and/or treated additional malignancy within 5 years prior to randomization with the exception of curatively treated basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and/or curatively resected in situ cervical and/or breast cancers. 10. Has known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis. Subjects with previously treated brain metastases may participate provided they are stable (without evidence of progression by imaging for at least four weeks prior to the first dose of trial treatment and any neurologic symptoms have returned to baseline), have no evidence of new or enlarging brain metastases, and are not using steroids for at least 7 days prior to trial treatment. This exception does not include carcinomatous meningitis which is excluded regardless of clinical stability. 11. Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in 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 permitted. 12. Has active, non-infectious pneumonitis; 13. Has an active infection requiring systemic the;Exclusion criteria: 1. Has disease that is suitable for local therapy administered with curative intent. 2. Had progressive disease within three months of completion of curatively intended treatment for locoregionally advanced or recurrent HNSCC. Note: this exclusion criteria is only applicable for subjects who have not had treatment in the recurrent/metastatic setting 3. Is currently participating in and receiving study therapy or has participated in a study of an investigational agent and received study therapy or used an investigational device within 4 weeks prior to randomization. Note: Subjects who have entered the follow-up phase of an investigational study may participate as long as it has been 4 weeks since the last dose of trial treatmentthe previous investigational agent or device 4. Was previously treated with 3 or more systemic regimens given for recurrent and/or metastatic disease. 5. Patients previously treated or resistant to one of the 3 standard of care agents in this trial (i.e. docetaxel, methotrexate, or cetuximab) may not receive the same agent if randomized to the standard treatment arm (see Section 5.2 for details). 6. 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. The use of physiologic doses of corticosteroids may be approved after consultation with the Sponsor. 7. Has had a prior anti-cancer monoclonal antibody (mAb) within 4 weeks prior to study Day 1 or who has not recovered (i.e., = Grade 1 or at baseline) from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4 weeks earlier. 8. Has had prior chemotherapy, targeted small molecule therapy, or radiation therapy within 2 weeks prior to study Day 1 or who has not recovered (i.e., = Grade 1 or at baseline) from adverse events due to a previously administered agent. Note: Subjects with = Grade 2 neuropathy or = Grade 2 alopecia are an exception to this criterion and may qualify for the study. Note: If subject received major surgery, they must have recovered adequately from the toxicity and/or complications from the intervention prior to starting therapy. 9. Has a diagnosed and/or treated additional malignancy within 5 years prior to randomization with the exception of curatively treated basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and/or curatively resected in situ cervical and/or breast cancers. 10. Has known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis. Subjects with previously treated brain metastases may participate provided they are stable (without evidence of progression by imaging for at least four weeks prior to the first dose of trial treatment and any neurologic symptoms have returned to baseline), have no evidence of new or enlarging brain metastases, and are not using steroids for at least 7 days prior to trial treatment. This exception does not include carcinomatous meningitis which is excluded regardless of clinical stability. 11. Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in 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 permitted. 12. Has active, non-infectious pneumonitis; 13. Has an active infection requiring systemic the

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Main Objective: All Subjects Objective: To compare the overall survival (OS) in subjects with recurrent or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with pembrolizumab compared to standard treatment. ;Secondary Objective: All Subjects Compare PFS per RECIST 1.1 in subjects with R/M HNSCC treated with MK-3475 compared to standard treatment To compare ORR per RECIST 1.1 in subjects with R/M HNSCC treated with MK-3475 compared to standard treatment Subjects With Positive PD-L1 Expression, defined by >/= 1% Combined Positive Score, henceforth abbreviated as PD-L1 1% CPS: Compare PFS per RECIST 1.1 in subjects with R/M HNSCC treated with MK-3475 compared to standard treatment Compare OS in subjects with R/M HNSCC treated with MK-3475 compared to standard treatment Compare ORR per RECIST 1.1 in subjects with R/M HNSCC treated with MK-3475 compared to standard treatment Evaluated separately among 1. Subjects with PD-L1 1% CPS, 2. All Subjects regardless of PD-L1 expression Evaluate the safety and tolerability profile of MK-3475 Evaluate TTP per RECIST 1.1 and DOR per RECIST 1.1 in subjects with R/M HNSCC treated with MK-3475 compared to standard treatment;Primary end point(s): The primary efficacy endpoint is: • Overall survival (OS) (i.e., time from randomization to death due to any cause). Subjects with documented death at the time of the final analysis will be censored at the date of the last follow-up ;Timepoint(s) of evaluation of this end point: The final OS analysis will be conducted after ~288 deaths have occurred between the MK-3475 arm and the standard treatment arm, if the trial is not stopped early for efficacy or futility. ;Main Objective: All Subjects Objective: To compare the overall survival (OS) in subjects with recurrent or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with pembrolizumab compared to standard treatment. ;Secondary Objective: All Subjects Compare PFS per RECIST 1.1 in subjec

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Secondary end point(s): Key secondary efficacy endpoints: • OS in subjects with PD-L1 1% CPS • ORR per RECIST 1.1 in all subjects • ORR per RECIST 1.1 in subjects with PD-L1 1% CPS • Progression-free-survival (PFS) per RECIST 1.1 in all subjects • PFS per RECIST 1.1 in subjects with PD-L1 1% CPS ;Timepoint(s) of evaluation of this end point: The timing of the evaluation of the secondary endpoints will be driven by and the same as the timing and evaluation of the primary endpoint;Secondary end point(s): Key secondary efficacy endpoints: • OS in subjects with PD-L1 1% CPS • ORR per RECIST 1.1 in all subjects • ORR per RECIST 1.1 in subjects with PD-L1 1% CPS • Progression-free-survival (PFS) per RECIST 1.1 in all subjects • PFS per RECIST 1.1 in subjects with PD-L1 1% CPS ;Timepoint(s) of evaluation of this end point: The timing of the evaluation of the secondary endpoints will be driven by and the same as the timing and evaluation of the primary endpoint;Secondary end point(s): Key secondary efficacy endpoints: • OS in subjects with PD-L1 1% CPS • ORR per RECIST 1.1 in all subjects • ORR per RECIST 1.1 in subjects with PD-L1 1% CPS • Progression-free-survival (PFS) per RECIST 1.1 in all subjects • PFS per RECIST 1.1 in subjects with PD-L1 1% CPS ;Timepoint(s) of evaluation of this end point: The timing of the evaluation of the secondary endpoints will be driven by and the same as the timing and evaluation of the primary endpoint

Countries

Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Republic of, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

Contacts

Public Contact;; ;;

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Outcome results

None listed

Source: EU CTR (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026