About this trial

This phase I/Ib trial tests the safety and best dose of ipatasertib in combination with the usual treatment approach using chemotherapy together with radiation therapy ("chemo-radiation") in patients with head and neck cancer. Ipatasertib is in a class of medications called protein kinase B (AKT) inhibitors. It may stop the growth of tumor cells and may kill them. Cisplatin, which is a chemotherapy used in this trial, is in a class of medications known as platinum-containing compounds. It works by killing, stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells. Radiation therapy uses high energy to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Giving ipatasertib in combination with chemo-radiation may be better than chemo-radiation alone in treating patients with advanced head and neck cancer.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Patients must have pathologically confirmed HNSCC (including tumors of the oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, oral cavity, nasal cavity, maxillary and other paranasal sinuses, and unknown primary of the head and neck), with measurable disease as per RECIST 1.1

Oropharyngeal and unknown primary squamous cell cancers must test for human papilloma virus (HPV), for example by p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC), in situ hybridization (ISH), or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HPV testing is not required for other HNSCC primary tumor sites

Patients with p16-positive tumors are eligible if clinical stage III (cT4 or cN3, M0) according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)/TNM Staging System, 8th edition (Ed.)

Patients with p16-negative (or not tested) tumors are eligible if clinical stage III-IVB (locally advanced but non-metastatic) according to the AJCC/TNM Staging System, 8th Ed.

Disqualifiers

Primary tumor of nasopharynx, salivary, thyroid or parathyroid glands, or skin

Distant metastases from the current HNSCC

Prior treatment (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation, or definitive surgery) for the current locally advanced HNSCC is not permitted. Biopsies, including those performed under anesthesia, are not considered surgery. Patients who underwent prior definitive surgery alone for an early stage (T1-2N0) HNSCC which has now recurred with stage III-IVB disease at least 3 months after the initial surgery are eligible

For patients with a prior history of another malignancy, no prior chemotherapy or radiation may have been administered within 6 weeks prior to study entry. Among patients who received prior radiation to the head and neck or adjacent anatomical site for another malignancy, there may be no overlap with current area to be irradiated

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Biopsy Procedure
  • Biospecimen Collection
  • Cisplatin
  • Computed Tomography
  • Ipatasertib
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Positron Emission Tomography
  • Radiation Therapy

Treatment groups

46 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups

Locations

18
Canada
University Health Network-Princess Margaret HospitalM5G 2M9, TorontoOntario, Canada
United States
Florida
Moffitt Cancer Center33612, Tampa United States
Illinois
Northwestern University60611, Chicago United States
Kansas
University of Kansas Clinical Research Center66205, Fairway United States

Sponsors and collaborators

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Lead sponsor