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Combining radiotherapy and pembrolizumab for metastatic head and neck cancers

Randomized Trial of Loco-regional Radiotherapy Added to Pembrolizumab Alone or With Chemotherapy Versus Systemic Treatment Alone for Patients With Newly Diagnosed Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Synchronous Metastases

Phase 3 Interventional Unicancer · NCT04747054

This study is testing if combining radiation therapy with pembrolizumab can help people with newly diagnosed metastatic head and neck cancer do better than standard treatments.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment102 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUnicancer Academic / other
Drugs / interventionspembrolizumab, chemotherapy
Locations26 sites (Avignon and 25 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04747054 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This phase 3 clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of combining radiotherapy with pembrolizumab, a type of immunotherapy, in patients with newly diagnosed metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The study is a randomized, open-label, multicentric trial that compares this combination treatment to systemic therapy as the first-line treatment. Patients will be monitored for treatment efficacy based on measurable lesions and overall health status.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with histologically confirmed metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Not a fit: Patients with non-squamous cell carcinoma or those who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment approach could significantly improve outcomes for patients with metastatic head and neck cancers.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using immunotherapy in combination with radiotherapy for similar conditions, indicating a potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient must have signed a written informed consent form prior to any study specific procedures. When the patient is physically unable to give their written consent, a trusted person of their choice, independent from the investigator or the sponsor, can confirm in writing the patient's consent.
2. Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx) including unknown primary head and neck lymph nodes with distant metastases at presentation (T1-4 N0-3 M1). Histological confirmation is required in case of a single metastatic lesion.
3. Eligible for treatment by pembrolizumab according to the European Marketing Authorization
4. Patient ≥18 years old
5. Performance status: 0-1 (WHO)
6. Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1 for primary tumor (as determined per local practice)
7. Subjects must have at least one measurable lesion as per RECIST v1.1 to assess efficacy
8. Adequate hematologic and end-organ function, defined by the following laboratory test results, obtained within 14 days prior to randomization:

   a. If randomization is done before treatment start: i. Absolute neutrophil count ≥1.5 × 10⁹/L ii. Platelet ≥100 × 10⁹/L iii. Hemoglobin ≥90 g/L iv. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), ≤3 × upper limit of normal (ULN), (unless documented liver metastases where ≤5 x ULN is permitted) v. Bilirubin ≤1.5 × ULN. vi. Serum albumin ≥25 g/L vii. Creatinine clearance ≥30 mL/min (calculated per institutional guidelines or by Cockcroft-Gault or Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula) viii. Corrected serum calcium of ≤11.5 mg/dL or ≤2.6 mmol/L. b. If randomization if done after treatment start i. Absolute neutrophil count ≥1.0 × 10⁹/L ii. Platelet ≥75 × 10⁹/L iii. Hemoglobin ≥85 g/L
9. Patient must agree to use adequate contraception methods for the duration of the study treatment and up to 4 months after the last dose of pembrolizumab administration
10. Patients must be affiliated to a Social Security System (or equivalent)
11. No disease progression during systemic treatment if the randomization is done after the start of pembrolizumab for the current disease

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Symptomatic central nervous system (CNS) metastases and / or carcinomatous meningitis
2. History of another malignancy within 2 years prior to study inclusion, with the exception of completely resected basal or squamous cell skin cancer, or successfully treated in-situ carcinoma
3. Prior radiotherapy in the head and neck region
4. Any prior or current non-surgical treatment for invasive head and neck cancer. (except for pembrolizumab +/- chemotherapy for the current cancer for a maximum of 6 cycles). This will include but is not limited to: prior tyrosine kinase inhibitors, any monoclonal antibody, chemotherapy, anti-PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4, prior radiotherapy (RT), or use of any investigational agent. Loco-regional recurrent or second primary head and neck cancer after prior surgical treatment alone in the head and neck region could be eligible.
5. Known Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
6. Known currently active infection including hepatitis B or hepatitis C
7. Patient having received live attenuated vaccine within 28 days prior to enrolment
8. Pregnant or breast feeding woman
9. Active autoimmune disease except vitiligo, type-1 diabetes, hypothyroid stabilized with hormonal substitution, or psoriasis which do not require systemic treatment
10. Active immunodeficiency or ongoing immunosuppressive therapy
11. Active symptomatic interstitial lung disease
12. Significant disease which, in the judgment of the investigator, as a result of the medical interview, physical examinations, or screening investigations would make the patient inappropriate for entry into the trial
13. Any social, personal, medical, geographic and/or psychologic factor(s) that could interfere with the observance of the patient to the protocol and/or the follow-up and/or the signature of the informed consent
14. Prior organ transplantation including allogenic stem-cell transplantation
15. Other severe acute or chronic medical conditions including colitis, pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis or psychiatric conditions including active suicidal ideation; or laboratory abnormalities that may increase the risk associated with study participation and, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for entry into this study
16. Person deprived of their liberty or under protective custody or guardianship
17. Patient who have taken any investigational medicinal product or have used an investigational device within 30 days prior to study inclusion

Where this trial is running

Avignon and 25 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
View on ClinicalTrials.gov → Find more trials like this →
Conditions Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and NeckMetastaticRadiotherapypembrolizumabSquamous Cell CarcinomaHead and NeckCarcinoma
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.