Testing What Happens When an Immunotherapy Drug (Pembrolizumab) is Given by Itself Compared to the Usual Treatment of Chemotherapy With Radiation After Surgery for Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
A Phase II Randomized Trial of Adjuvant Therapy With Pembrolizumab After Resection of Recurrent/Second Primary Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma With High Risk Features
3 other identifiers
interventional
188
1 country
178
Brief Summary
This phase II trial studies the effect of pembrolizumab alone compared to the usual approach (chemotherapy \[cisplatin and carboplatin\] plus radiation therapy) after surgery in treating patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that has come back (recurrent) or patients with a second head and neck cancer that is not from metastasis (primary). Radiation therapy uses high energy radiation or protons to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Cisplatin is in a class of medications known as platinum-containing compounds. It works by killing, stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells. Carboplatin is also in a class of medications known as platinum-containing compounds. It works in a way similar to the anticancer drug cisplatin, but may be better tolerated than cisplatin. Carboplatin works by killing, stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving pembrolizumab alone after surgery may work better than the usual approach in shrinking recurrent or primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for phase_2
Started Apr 2021
Longer than P75 for phase_2
178 active sites
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
Click on a node to explore related trials.
Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
December 16, 2020
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
December 17, 2020
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
April 27, 2021
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
June 30, 2029
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
June 30, 2029
June 11, 2026
March 1, 2026
8.2 years
December 16, 2020
June 10, 2026
Conditions
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (2)
Overall survival (OS)
Kaplan-Meier estimates will be used to estimate the OS distributions. A log-rank test with one-sided 10% type I error will be used for the comparison.
From randomization to date of death from any cause, measured at 2 years
Incidence of adverse events
Assessed using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. An 80% confidence interval around the hazard ratio of the two experimental arms will be calculated. Toxicity will be compared between the two treatment arms. Toxicity will be examined by arm and compared using the Fisher's exact test.
Up to 5 years from date of registration
Secondary Outcomes (2)
Disease free survival
From the date of randomization to the date of recurrence, second primary tumor from the head and neck region, or death, assessed up to 5 years from date of registration
PD-L1 expression
Up to 5 years from date of registration
Study Arms (2)
Arm B (cisplatin, carboplatin, IMRT, PBRT)
ACTIVE COMPARATORPatients receive cisplatin or carboplatin IV on day 1. Treatment repeats every 7 days for 6 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo IMRT or PBRT QD for a total of 30 fractions in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo CT or MRI throughout the trial.
Arm C (pembrolizumab)
EXPERIMENTALPatients receive pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 6 weeks for 9 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo CT or MRI throughout the trial.
Interventions
Given IV
Undergo IMRT
Undergo MRI
Given IV
Undergo PBRT
Given IV
Undergo CT
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Patient must be between 18 and 79 years of age
- Patient must have locoregionally recurrent or second primary HNSCC (oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx) in a previously radiated field
- Patient must have undergone surgery with gross total resection and must be randomized within 8 weeks of surgery
- Patients must have high risk disease defined as:
- Positive margins and/or extra nodal extension (ENE)
- Positive margins are defined as malignancy at or within 1 mm of the margin. High grade dysplasia (i.e. carcinoma in situ) at the margin is also considered positive
- ENE may be either gross or microscopic
- Patient must have a PD-L1 Combined Positive Score (CPS) \>= 1 in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) certified laboratory. Testing can be done locally as long as it is done in a CLIA certified laboratory. This testing must be on the tumor specimen from the resection of the patient's recurrent or second primary HNSCC
- Patient must have had prior radiation to the area of recurrent or second primary tumor. This is defined as \> 50% of the presurgical tumor volume having previously received a dose of \> 45 Gy as determined by the treating radiation oncologist
- Patient must have completed prior radiation a minimum of 6 months prior to randomization
- Patient must not have any evidence of distant disease based on baseline imaging done within 28 days prior to randomization
- Patient must not have received anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy for recurrent disease. If the patient received anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy as part of initial upfront curative intent treatment (either as part of definitive non-surgical therapy or in the adjuvant setting) in the past, the last dosage of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy must have been given greater than one year prior to randomization
- Patient must have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1
- Patient must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document. Patients with impaired decision-making capacity (IDMC) who have a legally authorized representative (LAR) or caregiver and/or family member available will also be considered eligible
- Patient must not be pregnant or breast-feeding due to the potential harm to an unborn fetus and possible risk for adverse events in nursing infants with the treatment regimens being used. All patients of childbearing potential must have a blood test or urine study within 14 days prior to randomization to rule out pregnancy. A urine or serum pregnancy test must be repeated within 72 hours prior to receiving the first dose of pembrolizumab or chemotherapy if the test done for eligibility/randomization is done outside of this 72 hour window. If the urine test is positive or cannot be confirmed as negative, a serum pregnancy test will be required. A patient of childbearing potential is someone, regardless of whether they have undergone tubal ligation, who meets the following criteria: 1) has achieved menarche at some point, 2) has not undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy; or 3) has not been naturally postmenopausal (amenorrhea following cancer therapy does not rule out childbearing potential) for at least 24 consecutive months (i.e., has had menses at any time in the preceding 24 consecutive months)
- +18 more criteria
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (178)
University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Center
Birmingham, Alabama, 35233, United States
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205, United States
Kaiser Permanente-Anaheim
Anaheim, California, 92806, United States
Kaiser Permanente-Bellflower
Bellflower, California, 90706, United States
UCI Health - Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care
Irvine, California, 92612, United States
UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center
La Jolla, California, 92093, United States
Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center
Los Angeles, California, 90027, United States
Kaiser Permanente-Ontario
Ontario, California, 91761, United States
UC Irvine Health/Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Orange, California, 92868, United States
Sutter Cancer Centers Radiation Oncology Services-Roseville
Roseville, California, 95661, United States
Sutter Roseville Medical Center
Roseville, California, 95661, United States
California Protons Cancer Therapy Center
San Diego, California, 92121, United States
Smilow Cancer Center/Yale-New Haven Hospital
New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, United States
Smilow Cancer Hospital Care Center-Trumbull
Trumbull, Connecticut, 06611, United States
Smilow Cancer Hospital Care Center - Waterford
Waterford, Connecticut, 06385, United States
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20010, United States
UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at Coral Gables
Coral Gables, Florida, 33146, United States
UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at Deerfield Beach
Deerfield Beach, Florida, 33442, United States
UF Health Cancer Institute - Gainesville
Gainesville, Florida, 32610, United States
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine-Sylvester Cancer Center
Miami, Florida, 33136, United States
UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at Plantation
Plantation, Florida, 33324, United States
Moffitt Cancer Center-International Plaza
Tampa, Florida, 33607, United States
Moffitt Cancer Center - McKinley Campus
Tampa, Florida, 33612, United States
Moffitt Cancer Center
Tampa, Florida, 33612, United States
Moffitt Cancer Center at Wesley Chapel
Wesley Chapel, Florida, 33544, United States
Emory Proton Therapy Center
Atlanta, Georgia, 30308, United States
Emory University Hospital Midtown
Atlanta, Georgia, 30308, United States
Emory University Hospital/Winship Cancer Institute
Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
Memorial Health University Medical Center
Savannah, Georgia, 31404, United States
Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
John H Stroger Jr Hospital of Cook County
Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States
University of Illinois
Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States
Carle at The Riverfront
Danville, Illinois, 61832, United States
Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois - Decatur
Decatur, Illinois, 62526, United States
Decatur Memorial Hospital
Decatur, Illinois, 62526, United States
Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Kishwaukee
DeKalb, Illinois, 60115, United States
Carle Physician Group-Effingham
Effingham, Illinois, 62401, United States
Crossroads Cancer Center
Effingham, Illinois, 62401, United States
Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Delnor
Geneva, Illinois, 60134, United States
Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital
Lake Forest, Illinois, 60045, United States
Carle Physician Group-Mattoon/Charleston
Mattoon, Illinois, 61938, United States
Loyola University Medical Center
Maywood, Illinois, 60153, United States
HSHS Saint Elizabeth's Hospital
O'Fallon, Illinois, 62269, United States
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Springfield, Illinois, 62702, United States
Springfield Clinic
Springfield, Illinois, 62702, United States
Springfield Memorial Hospital
Springfield, Illinois, 62781, United States
Carle Cancer Center
Urbana, Illinois, 61801, United States
The Carle Foundation Hospital
Urbana, Illinois, 61801, United States
Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Warrenville
Warrenville, Illinois, 60555, United States
Reid Health
Richmond, Indiana, 47374, United States
UI Health Care Mission Cancer and Blood - Ankeny Clinic
Ankeny, Iowa, 50023, United States
UI Health Care Mission Cancer and Blood - West Des Moines Clinic
Clive, Iowa, 50325, United States
Heartland Oncology and Hematology LLP
Council Bluffs, Iowa, 51503, United States
Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital
Council Bluffs, Iowa, 51503, United States
Iowa Methodist Medical Center
Des Moines, Iowa, 50309, United States
UI Health Care Mission Cancer and Blood - Des Moines Clinic
Des Moines, Iowa, 50309, United States
Broadlawns Medical Center
Des Moines, Iowa, 50314, United States
UI Health Care Mission Cancer and Blood - Laurel Clinic
Des Moines, Iowa, 50314, United States
Iowa Lutheran Hospital
Des Moines, Iowa, 50316, United States
UI Health Care Mission Cancer and Blood - Waukee Clinic
Waukee, Iowa, 50263, United States
Methodist West Hospital
West Des Moines, Iowa, 50266-7700, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center
Kansas City, Kansas, 66160, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center-Overland Park
Overland Park, Kansas, 66210, United States
University of Kansas Hospital-Indian Creek Campus
Overland Park, Kansas, 66211, United States
University of Kansas Hospital-Westwood Cancer Center
Westwood, Kansas, 66205, United States
University of Kentucky/Markey Cancer Center
Lexington, Kentucky, 40536, United States
The James Graham Brown Cancer Center at University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky, 40202, United States
UofL Health Medical Center Northeast
Louisville, Kentucky, 40245, United States
Maryland Proton Treatment Center
Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States
University of Maryland/Greenebaum Cancer Center
Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States
Central Maryland Radiation Oncology in Howard County
Columbia, Maryland, 21044, United States
UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center/Tate Cancer Center
Glen Burnie, Maryland, 21061, United States
Tufts Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, United States
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States
Wayne State University/Karmanos Cancer Institute
Detroit, Michigan, 48201, United States
Weisberg Cancer Treatment Center
Farmington Hills, Michigan, 48334, United States
Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center
Bemidji, Minnesota, 56601, United States
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Jackson, Mississippi, 39216, United States
Saint Francis Medical Center
Cape Girardeau, Missouri, 63703, United States
Siteman Cancer Center at Saint Peters Hospital
City of Saint Peters, Missouri, 63376, United States
Siteman Cancer Center at West County Hospital
Creve Coeur, Missouri, 63141, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center - North
Kansas City, Missouri, 64154, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center - Lee's Summit
Lee's Summit, Missouri, 64064, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center at North Kansas City Hospital
North Kansas City, Missouri, 64116, United States
Mercy Hospital Springfield
Springfield, Missouri, 65804, United States
Washington University School of Medicine
St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
Mercy Hospital South
St Louis, Missouri, 63128, United States
Siteman Cancer Center-South County
St Louis, Missouri, 63129, United States
Siteman Cancer Center at Christian Hospital
St Louis, Missouri, 63136, United States
Mercy Hospital Saint Louis
St Louis, Missouri, 63141, United States
Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute
Great Falls, Montana, 59405, United States
Logan Health Medical Center
Kalispell, Montana, 59901, United States
Community Medical Center
Missoula, Montana, 59804, United States
Nebraska Cancer Specialists/Oncology Hematology West PC - MECC
Omaha, Nebraska, 68114, United States
Nebraska Methodist Hospital
Omaha, Nebraska, 68114, United States
Oncology Associates PC
Omaha, Nebraska, 68114, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge
Basking Ridge, New Jersey, 07920, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth
Middletown, New Jersey, 07748, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen
Montvale, New Jersey, 07645, United States
University of New Mexico Cancer Center
Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87106, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Commack
Commack, New York, 11725, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester
Harrison, New York, 10604, United States
Mount Sinai Union Square
New York, New York, 10003, United States
Mount Sinai Chelsea
New York, New York, 10011, United States
Mount Sinai Hospital
New York, New York, 10029, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York, 10065, United States
University of Rochester
Rochester, New York, 14642, United States
Stony Brook University Medical Center
Stony Brook, New York, 11794, United States
Montefiore Medical Center-Einstein Campus
The Bronx, New York, 10461, United States
Montefiore Medical Center - Moses Campus
The Bronx, New York, 10467, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau
Uniondale, New York, 11553, United States
Wilmot Cancer Institute at Webster
Webster, New York, 14580, United States
Randolph Hospital
Asheboro, North Carolina, 27203, United States
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States
Cone Health Cancer Center
Greensboro, North Carolina, 27403, United States
Annie Penn Memorial Hospital
Reidsville, North Carolina, 27320, United States
Sanford Bismarck Medical Center
Bismarck, North Dakota, 58501, United States
Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center
Fargo, North Dakota, 58122, United States
Indu and Raj Soin Medical Center
Beavercreek, Ohio, 45431, United States
Dayton Physicians LLC-Miami Valley South
Centerville, Ohio, 45459, United States
Miami Valley Hospital South
Centerville, Ohio, 45459, United States
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States
Premier Blood and Cancer Center
Dayton, Ohio, 45409, United States
Dayton Physician LLC - Englewood
Dayton, Ohio, 45415, United States
Miami Valley Hospital North
Dayton, Ohio, 45415, United States
Atrium Medical Center-Middletown Regional Hospital
Franklin, Ohio, 45005-1066, United States
Dayton Physicians LLC-Atrium
Franklin, Ohio, 45005, United States
Miami Valley Cancer Care and Infusion
Greenville, Ohio, 45331, United States
Greater Dayton Cancer Center
Kettering, Ohio, 45409, United States
Kettering Medical Center
Kettering, Ohio, 45429, United States
Upper Valley Medical Center
Troy, Ohio, 45373, United States
Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma Research
Lawton, Oklahoma, 73505, United States
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, United States
Clackamas Radiation Oncology Center
Clackamas, Oregon, 97015, United States
Providence Cancer Institute Clackamas Clinic
Clackamas, Oregon, 97015, United States
Providence Newberg Medical Center
Newberg, Oregon, 97132, United States
Providence Portland Medical Center
Portland, Oregon, 97213, United States
Providence Saint Vincent Medical Center
Portland, Oregon, 97225, United States
UPMC Altoona
Altoona, Pennsylvania, 16601, United States
Geisinger Medical Center
Danville, Pennsylvania, 17822, United States
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Erie
Erie, Pennsylvania, 16505, United States
UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC Horizon
Farrell, Pennsylvania, 16121, United States
IRMC Cancer Center
Indiana, Pennsylvania, 15701, United States
Geisinger Medical Oncology-Lewisburg
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, 17837, United States
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center - New Castle
New Castle, Pennsylvania, 16105, United States
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, United States
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19111, United States
Jefferson Torresdale Hospital
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19114, United States
Temple University Hospital
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19140, United States
UPMC-Saint Margaret
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15215, United States
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15232, United States
UPMC-Shadyside Hospital
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15232, United States
UPMC-Passavant Hospital
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15237, United States
Geisinger Wyoming Valley/Henry Cancer Center
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, 18711, United States
UPMC Memorial
York, Pennsylvania, 17408, United States
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States
Avera Cancer Institute
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57105, United States
Sanford USD Medical Center - Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57117-5134, United States
Avera Cancer Institute at Yankton
Yankton, South Dakota, 57078, United States
Vanderbilt University/Ingram Cancer Center
Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States
Huntsman Cancer Institute/University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, United States
VCU Massey Cancer Center at Stony Point
Richmond, Virginia, 23235, United States
VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
Richmond, Virginia, 23298, United States
Langlade Hospital and Cancer Center
Antigo, Wisconsin, 54409, United States
ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center
Appleton, Wisconsin, 54911, United States
HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 54701, United States
Saint Vincent Hospital Cancer Center Green Bay
Green Bay, Wisconsin, 54301, United States
Saint Vincent Hospital Cancer Center at Saint Mary's
Green Bay, Wisconsin, 54303, United States
Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, 53051, United States
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, United States
Drexel Town Square Health Center
Oak Creek, Wisconsin, 53154, United States
Aspirus Cancer Care - James Beck Cancer Center
Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, United States
Aspirus Cancer Care - Stevens Point
Stevens Point, Wisconsin, 54481, United States
Saint Vincent Hospital Cancer Center at Sturgeon Bay
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, 54235-1495, United States
Aspirus Regional Cancer Center
Wausau, Wisconsin, 54401, United States
Froedtert West Bend Hospital/Kraemer Cancer Center
West Bend, Wisconsin, 53095, United States
Aspirus Cancer Care - Wisconsin Rapids
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, 54494, United States
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Interventions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Dan P Zandberg
ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- phase 2
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- NONE
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- NIH
- Responsible Party
- SPONSOR
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
December 16, 2020
First Posted
December 17, 2020
Study Start
April 27, 2021
Primary Completion (Estimated)
June 30, 2029
Study Completion (Estimated)
June 30, 2029
Last Updated
June 11, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-03
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will share
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