About this trial

This phase II trial compares the effectiveness of cemiplimab with CDX-1140 to cemiplimab without CDX-1140 prior to surgery in treating patients with stage III-IV head and neck cancer. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as cemiplimab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. CDX-1140 is a monoclonal antibody that may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. A monoclonal antibody is a type of protein that can bind to certain targets in the body, such as molecules that cause the body to make an immune response (antigens). Giving cemiplimab with CDX-1140 versus cemiplimab alone before surgery may make the tumor smaller and may reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed for patients with stage III-IV head and neck cancer.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Patients must have histologically or cytologically confirmed American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage III-IV T0-4, N0-3b, M0 mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) (oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx, and nasal cavity) that is appropriate for surgical resection. Both previously untreated (primary) and recurrent (salvage) settings will be eligible. Tumors must be accessible to biopsy in clinic (patients with laryngeal, hypopharyngeal, nasal cavity and base of tongue tumors will have endoscopic biopsies)

For patients with oropharyngeal cancer, only p16-negative (non-human papillomavirus [HPV] related) patients will be eligible

Patients must have measurable disease, defined as at least one lesion that can be accurately measured in at least one dimension (longest diameter to be recorded for non-nodal lesions and short axis for nodal lesions) as ≥ 20 mm (≥ 2 cm) by chest x-ray or as ≥ 10 mm (≥ 1 cm) with CT scan, MRI, or calipers by clinical exam

Age ≥ 18 years. Because no dosing or adverse event (AE) data are currently available on the use of cemiplimab (REGN2810) alone or in combination with CDX-1140 in patients < 18 years of age, children are excluded from this study

Disqualifiers

Active or documented history of autoimmune disease within 2 years before screening

Prior or planned allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)

History of organ transplant that requires use of immunosuppressive medications

Current or prior use of immunosuppressive medication within 14 days prior to the start of study drug administration. Immunosuppressants may interfere with study drug efficacy

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Anti-CD40 Agonist Monoclonal Antibody CDX-1140
  • Biopsy Procedure
  • Biospecimen Collection
  • Cemiplimab
  • Computed Tomography
  • Positron Emission Tomography
  • Tumor Resection

Treatment groups

44 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups

Locations

6
UCI Health - Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care92612, IrvineCalifornia, United States
UC Irvine Health/Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center92868, OrangeCalifornia, United States
Emory University Hospital Midtown30308, AtlantaGeorgia, United States
Ochsner Medical Center Jefferson70121, New OrleansLouisiana, United States

Sponsors and collaborators

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Lead sponsor