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Phase II Trial of Nelfinavir With Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

A Phase II Trial of a Protease Inhibitor, Nelfinavir (NFV), Given With Definitive, Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy (CTRT) in Patients With Locally-Advanced, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Negative, Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02207439
Enrollment
18
Registered
2014-08-04
Start date
2014-07-31
Completion date
2022-05-31
Last updated
2023-07-25

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

Conditions

Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Brief summary

This is a Phase II trial of definitive chemoradiotherapy (CTRT) given with the protease inhibitor,Nelfinavir (NFV), in patients with locally advanced head and neck. Eligible patients will receive a lead-in period of Nelfinavir (1250 mg po bid) for 7-14 days prior to initiation of CTRT. Nelfinavir will then be given concurrently with platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation therapy (planned total dose of 70 Gy over 7 weeks).

Detailed description

This is a single-arm Phase II study of organ-preservation chemoradiotherapy given in combination with the protease inhibitor, Nelfinavir, in patients with stage II, IVa, or IVb (per AJCC version 7) squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx. Patients start treatment with Nelfinvir at a dose of 1250 mg twice daily for 7-14 days, before continuing Nelfinvir at this dose concurrent with chemotherapy and radiation therapy (for a total dose of 70 Gy over a period of 7 weeks).

Interventions

DRUGNelfinavir (Viracept®) 1250 mg

Period 1: Nelfinavir Lead-In (1250 mg bid, 7-14 days).

OTHERChemoradiation

Period 2: Concurrent Chemoradiation (70 Gy over 7 weeks) with Nelfinavir (1250 mg bid)

Sponsors

Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patients ≥ 18 years old. * Histologically confirmed diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx stages III, IVa, or IVb, p16-negative on immunohistochemistry * Determined by the treating physician to be a candidate for organ preserving, concurrent standard chemotherapy and radiation therapy to the head and neck with definitive intent. * ECOG Performance Status 0-2 * Patients must sign an informed consent document that indicates they are aware of the investigational nature of the treatment in this protocol as well as the potential risks and benefits. * The effects of EF5 on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason, women of childbearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control) prior to study entry, during study, until 1 month after completion of the final FMISO PET/CT scan. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately. Serum pregnancy testing will be required for women of childbearing potential. * Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

* Prior radiation therapy to the head and neck * Prior chemotherapy within the past 5 years * Previous therapy with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitor * Pregnant or lactating patients. * Patients with known HIV disease. These patients have a high probability of treatment with anti-retroviral therapy which may interact with the nelfinavir. * Absolute Neutrophil Count ≤ 1500 per mm3 * Platelet count ≤ 100,000 per mm3 * Serum creatinine \> 1.5 times the upper limit of normal * Serum AST or ALT \> 2 times the upper limit of normal * Serum bilirubin \> 1.2 mg/dl * Weight loss of \> 10% over the past 6 months which is due to tumor wasting syndrome * Distant metastases * Patients receiving the following drugs that are contraindicated with NFV will be excluded: Antiarrhythmics:amiodarone, quinidine, Antimycobacterial: rifampin, Ergot Derivatives:dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine, Herbal Products: St.John's wort (hypericum perforatum), HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors: lovastatin,simvastatin, Neuroleptic:pimozide, Proton Pump Inhibitors, Sedative/Hypnotics: midazolam, triazolam, * Patients receiving the following drugs will be clinically evaluated as to whether dosage/medication can be changed to permit patient on study: Anti-Convulsants: carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, Anti-Convulsant:phenytoin, Anti-Mycobacterial:rifabutin, PDE5 Inhibitors: sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil, HMG-CoA: Reductase Inhibitors: atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, Immuno-suppressants: cyclosporine,tacrolimus, sirolimus, Narcotic Analgesic: methadone, Oral Contraceptive:ethinyl estradiol, Macrolide Antibiotic:azithromycin, Inhaled/nasal steroid fluticasone, Antidepressant: trazodone. * Women of childbearing potential who have a positive result on screening urine pregnancy test. * Subjects with moderate-severe renal disease. * History of allergic reactionsattributed to Flagyl (metronidazole), which has a chemical structure similar to FMISO. * Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Locoregional Control5 yearslocoregional control determined via diagnostic imaging and clinical examination.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Decrease in Hypoxia From Nelfinavir7-14 daysDecrease in Hypoxia from Nelfinavir was determined by change in uptake and volume as assessed via 18f-FMISO or 18f-EF5 PET/CT pre-Nelfinavir versus post Nelfnavir lead-in
Change in Glucose Metabolism From NelfinavirFrom the initiation of any study procedures to 30 days following the completion of 7 chemoradiationChange in Glucose Metabolism from Nelfinavir was determined by change in glucose uptake as assessed via FDG-PET/CT pre-Nelfinavir versus post Nelfnavir lead-in

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Single Arm Phase 2
Nelfinavir (Viracept®) 1250 mg FMISO
17
Total17

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicSingle Arm Phase 2
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
2 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
15 Participants
Age, Continuous61 years
Locoregional head and neck cancer17 participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
3 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
14 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
17 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
3 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
14 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 17
other
Total, other adverse events
17 / 17
serious
Total, serious adverse events
17 / 17

Outcome results

Primary

Locoregional Control

locoregional control determined via diagnostic imaging and clinical examination.

Time frame: 5 years

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Single Arm Phase 2Locoregional Control17 participants
Secondary

Change in Glucose Metabolism From Nelfinavir

Change in Glucose Metabolism from Nelfinavir was determined by change in glucose uptake as assessed via FDG-PET/CT pre-Nelfinavir versus post Nelfnavir lead-in

Time frame: From the initiation of any study procedures to 30 days following the completion of 7 chemoradiation

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Single Arm Phase 2Change in Glucose Metabolism From Nelfinavir17 Participants
Secondary

Decrease in Hypoxia From Nelfinavir

Decrease in Hypoxia from Nelfinavir was determined by change in uptake and volume as assessed via 18f-FMISO or 18f-EF5 PET/CT pre-Nelfinavir versus post Nelfnavir lead-in

Time frame: 7-14 days

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Single Arm Phase 2Decrease in Hypoxia From Nelfinavir12 participants

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026