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Monoclonal Antibodies

Cetuximab + Nivolumab for Head and Neck Cancer

Phase 1 & 2
Waitlist Available
Led By Christine H. Chung, M.D.
Research Sponsored by H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Participants must have histologically or cytologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of specified areas
Participants must have ECOG performance status ≤ 2
Must not have
Participants who have experienced grade 3 or above skin toxicity from prior EGFR inhibiting therapy
Participants with p16 negative squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary in cervical lymph node
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up up to 48 months
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial is testing if two anti-cancer therapies are beneficial for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Who is the study for?
Adults with advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) who have already tried at least one treatment like chemotherapy or radiation. They must be in good enough health to participate, not pregnant, and using effective contraception if sexually active. People can't join if they've had certain recent treatments, uncontrolled illnesses, severe allergies to similar drugs, or specific heart conditions.
What is being tested?
The trial is testing the effectiveness of combining two FDA-approved cancer drugs—Cetuximab and Nivolumab—in treating HNSCC. Researchers want to see if this drug duo works better together for patients whose cancer has returned or spread and cannot be cured with surgery or radiation alone.
What are the potential side effects?
Possible side effects include skin reactions from Cetuximab and immune-related issues from Nivolumab such as inflammation in organs like lungs or intestines, hormone gland problems, rash, infusion reactions (like fever/chills), fatigue, nausea, itching and muscle pain.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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My cancer is confirmed as squamous cell carcinoma in the specified areas.
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I can take care of myself and am up and about more than half of my waking hours.
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My head or neck cancer has returned or spread and cannot be cured with surgery or radiation.
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My condition worsened after at least one treatment.
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I am 18 years old or older.
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My organs are functioning normally.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I had severe skin reactions from previous EGFR therapy.
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My cancer is p16 negative and started in the lymph nodes of my neck.
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I had a severe reaction to previous anti-PD1 therapy.
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My cancer originates from the nasopharynx or salivary glands.
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I have a heart condition.
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My high blood pressure is not under control.
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I have a known infection.
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I have an active HIV, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C infection.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~up to 48 months
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and up to 48 months for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Phase I: Maximum Tolerated Dose
Phase II: Overall Survival (OS)
Secondary study objectives
Number of Study Treatment Related Adverse Events
Overall Response Rate (ORR)
Progression Free Survival (PFS)

Side effects data

From 2012 Phase 3 trial • 73 Patients • NCT01177956
43%
Leucopenia
43%
Weight Decreased
40%
Nausea
35%
Rash
34%
Hypomagnesaemia
32%
Hypokalemia
31%
Constipation
28%
Vomiting
28%
Neutropenia
26%
Decreased Appetite
22%
Pyrexia
19%
Hyponatremia
19%
Acne
19%
Hemoglobin Decreased
18%
Stomatitis
18%
Diarrhea
15%
Pruritus
15%
Fatigue
13%
Mucosal Inflammation
13%
Neutrophil Count Decreased
12%
Mouth Ulceration
10%
Insomnia
10%
Thrombocytopenia
10%
Asthenia
9%
Dizziness
9%
Cough
9%
White Blood Cell Count Decreased
7%
Hypocalcaemia
7%
Dermatitis Acneiform
7%
Hypochloremia
7%
Abdominal Pain Upper
7%
Paronychia
7%
Aspartate Aminotransferase Increased
7%
Weight Increased
6%
Dyspnoea
6%
Neck pain
6%
Oral Pain
6%
Headache
3%
Anaphylactic reaction
1%
Pneumonitis
1%
Microcytic anemia
1%
Mouth hemorrhage
1%
Pneumonia
1%
Electrolyte imbalance
1%
Myocardial infarction
1%
Staphylococcal skin infection
1%
Tumor hemorrhage
1%
Pulmonary embolism
1%
Respiratory alkalosis
1%
Toxic encephalopathy
1%
Venous thrombosis
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Study treatment Arm
Cetuximab + Cisplatin + 5-FU : Treatment Emergent Phase
Cetuximab + Cisplatin + 5-FU : Late Phase

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

4Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Phase II - Moffitt Site OnlyExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
Nivolumab and Cetuximab at recommended Phase II dose (RP2D).
Group II: Phase II - Affiliate Sites OnlyExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
Nivolumab and Cetuximab at recommended Phase II dose (RP2D).
Group III: Phase I - Moffitt Site OnlyExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
Nivolumab and dose escalation of Cetuximab. Dose Level 1: Lead-in Day -14 before Cycle 1 only: Cetuximab 500 mg/m\^2; Nivolumab - none. Cycle 1 Day 1 and all subsequent doses every 2 weeks (Q2W): Cetuximab 500 mg/m\^2; Nivolumab 240 mg. Dose Level -1: Lead-in Day -14 before Cycle 1 only: Cetuximab 500 mg/m\^2; Nivolumab - none. Cycle 1 Day 1 and all subsequent doses every 2 weeks (Q2W): Cetuximab 250 mg/m\^2; Nivolumab 240 mg.
Group IV: Phase I - Affiliate Sites OnlyExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
Nivolumab and dose escalation of Cetuximab. Dose Level 1: Lead-in Day -14 before Cycle 1 only: Cetuximab 500 mg/m\^2; Nivolumab - none. Cycle 1 Day 1 and all subsequent doses every 2 weeks (Q2W): Cetuximab 500 mg/m\^2; Nivolumab 240 mg. Dose Level -1: Lead-in Day -14 before Cycle 1 only: Cetuximab 500 mg/m\^2; Nivolumab - none. Cycle 1 Day 1 and all subsequent doses every 2 weeks (Q2W): Cetuximab 250 mg/m\^2; Nivolumab 240 mg.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Nivolumab
2015
Completed Phase 3
~4010
Cetuximab
2011
Completed Phase 3
~2480

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research InstituteLead Sponsor
562 Previous Clinical Trials
144,753 Total Patients Enrolled
James and Esther King Biomedical Research ProgramOTHER
13 Previous Clinical Trials
1,699 Total Patients Enrolled
Eli Lilly and CompanyIndustry Sponsor
2,674 Previous Clinical Trials
3,463,858 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Cetuximab (Monoclonal Antibodies) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT03370276 — Phase 1 & 2
Squamous Cell Cancer Research Study Groups: Phase I - Affiliate Sites Only, Phase I - Moffitt Site Only, Phase II - Affiliate Sites Only, Phase II - Moffitt Site Only
Squamous Cell Cancer Clinical Trial 2023: Cetuximab Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT03370276 — Phase 1 & 2
Cetuximab (Monoclonal Antibodies) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT03370276 — Phase 1 & 2
~12 spots leftby Nov 2025