Study of Cetuximab Plus/Minus Weekly Paclitaxel After Progression To First-Line Pembrolizumab Plu… (NCT06856213) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingPhase 2
Study of Cetuximab Plus/Minus Weekly Paclitaxel After Progression To First-Line Pembrolizumab Plus Platinum-5FU in Subjects With Recurrent/Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck.
Spain65 participantsStarted 2025-06-18
Plain-language summary
Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) arises from epithelial cells and occurs in the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx. SCCHN is the seventh most common cancer worldwide with an annual incidence of approximately 90.000 cases per year in Europe.
Recurrent / metastatic SCCHN remains a grievous diagnosis and optimal treatment options after progression to first-line ICI treatment are not determined yet. Previous reports showed that cetuximab plus paclitaxel after progression to ICI therapy may have an enhanced activity as second line after ICI therapy ERBIOTAX is multi-center, open-label, randomized, non-comparative two-arm, phase 2 trial Investigator Initiated Study.
The primary study aims is to evaluate the efficacy of weekly cetuximab combined with paclitaxel (Arm A) or cetuximab monotherapy (Arm B) after progression to pembrolizumab plus platinum / 5-FU. The efficacy of treatment will be assessed through objective response rate (ORR).
Patients will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to ERBITAX (cetuximab + paclitaxel) and cetuximab, respectively, assigning 2 patients to Arm A and 1 patient to Arm B out of 3 patients. No stratification for the randomization process is planned as this is a non-comparative study. A total of 65 evaluable patients will be included in the trial; 41 in Arm A and 24 in Arm B.
The main hypothesis is that treatment with the cetuximab +/- paclitaxel regimen maybe more effective after immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) failure in patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
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
. Signed written and voluntary informed consent.
. Patients must be willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plan, laboratory tests and other study procedures.
. Age \> 18 years old. Disease characteristics
. Have histologically confirmed diagnosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
. The eligible primary tumor locations are oropharynx, oral cavity, hypopharynx, and larynx.
. Known Human papillomavirus (HPV) status in oropharyngeal primaries and tested by p16 and/or HPV DNA testing by ISH or PCR. Local testing is acceptable.
. Have confirmed disease progression per RECIST 1.1 on or after receiving platinum / 5-FU and pembrolizumab as first-line therapy for recurrent/metastatic disease. Patients must have measurable disease assessed by computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on RECIST 1.1 as assessed by the local site investigator/radiology. Tumor lesions situated in a previously irradiated area are considered measurable if progression has been demonstrated in such lesions.
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
1
Objective response rate (ORR) according to RECIST V1.1 criteria
Timeframe: Throughout the study period, approximately 24 months
Trial details
NCT IDNCT06856213
SponsorGrupo Español de Tratamiento de Tumores de Cabeza y Cuello
. All patients should provide a tumor biopsy obtained prior to the start of cetuximab +/- paclitaxel. A newly obtained biopsy -after progression to pembrolizumab + platinum-based chemotherapy - of a tumor lesion not previously irradiated for central biomarker analysis prior to start of study treatment is strongly recommended, but an archival tumor biopsy sample may be acceptable upon discussion with the sponsor.
Exclusion criteria
. Patients with tumors of the head and neck region, arising from the nasopharynx, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands, skin, unknown primary site.
. Patients not treated or not progressing to pembrolizumab + platinum / 5-FU as the first line prior to their enrollment in the study. Progression to platinum / 5-FU plus pembrolizumab or other antiPD-(L)1 agents in combination with other immunotherapies including but not limited to other checkpoint regulatory monoclonal/bispecific antibodies such as anti CTLA-4, anti LAG-3 , anti TIGIT or anti TIM-3 may be allowed upon discussion with the sponsor.
. Any previous treatment with paclitaxel and/or cetuximab in the recurrent or metastatic setting.
. Has known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis.
. Has a life expectancy of less than 3 months and/or has rapidly progressing disease (e.g. tumor bleeding, uncontrolled tumor pain) in the opinion of the treating investigator.
. History of another primary malignancy, except for:
. Malignancy treated with curative intent and with no known active disease ≥3 years before the first dose of study drug and of low potential risk for recurrence,
. Adequately treated non-melanoma skin cancer without evidence of disease,