Active — Not RecruitingPhase 2/3

Testing the Use of Investigational Drugs Atezolizumab and/or Bevacizumab With or Without Standard Chemotherapy in the Second-Line Treatment of Advanced-Stage Head and Neck Cancers

United States430 participantsStarted 2023-03-13

Plain-language summary

This phase II/III compares the standard therapy (chemotherapy plus cetuximab) versus adding bevacizumab to standard chemotherapy, versus combination of just bevacizumab and atezolizumab in treating patients with head and neck cancer that has spread to other places in the body (metastatic or advanced stage) or has come back after prior treatment (recurrent). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as atezolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Bevacizumab is in a class of medications called antiangiogenic agents. It works by stopping the formation of blood vessels that bring oxygen and nutrients to tumor. This may slow the growth and spread of tumor. Cetuximab is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It binds to a protein called EGFR, which is found on some types of cancer cells. This may help keep cancer cells from growing. Cisplatin and carboplatin are in a class of chemotherapy medications known as platinum-containing compounds. They work by killing, stopping, or slowing the growth of cancer cells. Docetaxel is in a class of chemotherapy medications called taxanes. It stops cancer cells from growing and dividing and may kill them. The addition of bevacizumab to standard chemotherapy or combination therapy with bevacizumab and atezolizumab may be better than standard chemotherapy plus cetuximab in treating patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancers.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patient must have histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) (excluding squamous cell carcinoma \[SCC\] of salivary glands, Epstein-Barr virus \[EBV\]-associated nasopharynx and skin) * Patient must have measurable disease as defined by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version (v)1.1. Measurements must be obtained within 4 weeks prior to randomization * Patient must be \>= 18 years of age * Patient must have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1 * Patient must have disease progression after prior therapy with an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) in the first-line setting for recurrent/metastatic disease. Patient must have received first-line immune checkpoint inhibition for at least 6 weeks. Patients who have recurred or progressed within 12 weeks of immune checkpoint inhibition administered in the definitive setting for locally advanced disease (for e.g., in the context of a clinical trial) will also be eligible if local therapies are not feasible * Prior combination immunotherapies are permitted, but patient must not have had prior antiangiogenic treatment (e.g., bevacizumab, ziv-aflibercept, ramucirumab, sorafenib, sunitinib, pazopanib, regorafenib, lenvatinib, etc.). Patient must have completed any prior investigational therapy at least 28 days prior to randomization. * NOTE: Patients who received platinum/taxanes in the locally-advanced or recurrent/metastatic …

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Progression free survival (PFS) (Phase II)

Timeframe: Time from treatment initiation until disease progression or death, assessed up to 5 years from randomization

Overall survival (OS) (Phase III)

Timeframe: Time from treatment initiation until death from any cause, assessed up to 5 years from randomization

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05063552

SponsorNational Cancer Institute (NCI)

Sponsor typeNIH

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-12-15

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