Immunotherapy after surgery for head and neck cancer
Official title: Adjuvant Immunotherapy After Salvage Surgery in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma : Phase 2 Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and the Toxicity of Nivolumab Alone, and of the Combination Nivolumab and Ipilimumab
Run by Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Grand Paris · NCT03406247 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if a new immunotherapy treatment after surgery can help people with recurring head and neck cancer live longer without the disease coming back, compared to older treatments.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 140 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Grand Paris Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation, prednisone, immunotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Villejuif, Val De Marne) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 12, 2018 |
| Main results expected | November 2027 |
| Study ends | November 2027 |
| Registry record updated | May 8, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT03406247 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include patients with recurrent or second primary HNSCC who have undergone salvage surgery with curative intent and meet specific criteria regarding their previous radiation treatment.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who have not undergone salvage surgery or those with non-recurrent HNSCC may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of adjuvant immunotherapy using Nivolumab and Ipilimumab following salvage surgery in patients with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The study aims to compare the disease-free survival (DFS) rates of patients receiving immunotherapy to those observed in previous trials of post-operative reirradiation, with the hypothesis that immunotherapy may result in similar DFS with potentially lower toxicity. Participants will be randomized into different cohorts based on the timing of their previous radiotherapy and the nature of their recurrence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve disease-free survival rates for patients with recurrent head and neck cancer while minimizing treatment-related toxicity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies on reirradiation after salvage surgery have shown promising results, suggesting that this immunotherapy approach may build on established findings.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Recurrence or second primary of HNSCC in a previously irradiated area at a dose ≥ 50 Gys * HNSCC of oral cavity, oro and hypopharynx, larynx only if extralaryngeal spread (rT4), isolated nodal recurrence * Patient who has received salvage surgery with curative intent and macroscopic complete resection: * for cohorts 1 and 2: similarly to inclusion criteria of previous reirradiation trials, more than 6 months between radiotherapy and salvage surgery * for cohorts 1bis and 2bis: less than 6 months between radiotherapy and salvage surgery * Recurrence of bad prognosis justifying an adjuvant treatment: * clinically infiltrative recurrence or second primary; or nodal recurrence upper or equal to 3 cm, or association of local and nodal recurrence; * superficial recurrence, but histologic gravity signs on surgical specimen indicating a high risk of recurrence after salvage surgery (histologic involvement of surgical margins or margins less than 3mm, perineural spread or vascular emboli, multiples invaded nodes). Nodal recurrence without tumor recurrence and inferior to 3cm, but with capsular rupture at histologic examination. * Sufficient healing for beginning adjuvant treatment within 8 weeks (+/- 2 weeks) of salvage surgery * No distant metastases, confirmed by CT or PET scan * Male and female between 18 and 75 years (included) * ECOG 0 or 1 * Immunosuppressive doses of systemic medication, such as steroids or absorbed topical steroids (doses \> 10 mg/day prednisone or equivalent) must be discontinued at least 2 weeks before study drug administration * Screening laboratory values must meet the following criteria (using CTCAE v4) and should be obtained within 14 days to the administration of the first study treatment.: WBC \> 2,000/μL. Polynuclear neutrophils \>1.5 x 10\^9/L. Platelets \> 75 x 10\^9/L. Hemoglobin \> 8.0 g/dL. ALAT/ASAT\< 3.0 x ULN. Bilirubin \< 1.5 x ULN (except Gilbert Syndrome : \< 3.0 mg/dL). Creatinine clearance \> 40 mL/min (measured or calculated by Cockroft and Gault formula) or serum creatinine \< 2.0 x ULN * Women of childbearing potential must have a negative serum β-HCG pregnancy test within 24 hours prior to the administration of the first study treatment. * Sexually active women of childbearing potential must agree to use a highly effective method of contraception or to abstain from sexual activity during the study and for at least 5 months after the last study treatment administration. Sexually active males patients must agree to use condom during the study and for at least 7 months after the last study treatment administration. Also, it is recommended their women of childbearing potential partner use a highly effective method of contraception. * Women who are breastfeeding should discontinue nursing prior to the first dose of study drug and until 5 months after the last dose. * Patient should understand, sign, and date the written informed consent form prior to any protocol-specific procedures performed. Patient should be able and willing to comply with study visits and procedures as per protocol. * Patients must be affiliated to a social security system or beneficiary of the same Exclusion Criteria: * Recurrent or metastatic carcinoma of the nasopharynx, squamous cell carcinoma that originated from the skin and salivary gland, or nonsquamous histologies (eg, mucosal melanoma). * Recurrence or second primary of HNSCC in a non previously irradiated area, or at a dose \< 50 Gys * Macroscopic incomplete surgery (no debulking allowed) * Superficial recurrence without nodal recurrence, and without histologic gravity signs (histologic involvement of surgical margins, perineural spread) * Nodal recurrence less than 3 cm, without local recurrence and without capsular rupture at histologic examination * Serious medical adverse conditions, such as severe cardiac and/or pneumologic and/or liver dysfunction. Non exhaustive list, to be appreciated in each center * Subjects with active, known or suspected autoimmune disease. Subjects with vitiligo, type I diabetes mellitus, residual hypothyroidism due to autoimmune condition only requiring hormone replacement, psoriasis not requiring systemic treatment, or conditions not expected to recur in the absence of an external trigger are permitted to enroll. * Subjects with a condition requiring systemic treatment with either corticosteroids (\> 10 mg daily prednisone equivalents) or other immunosuppressive medications within 14 days of study drug administration. Inhaled or topical steroids and adrenal replacement doses \> 10 mg daily prednisone equivalents are permitted in the absence of active autoimmune disease. * Patients with positive tests for hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBV sAg) or hepatitis C virus ribonucleic acid (HCV RNA) indicating active or chronic infection. * Patients with positive test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or known acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). * Prior malignancy active within the previous 3 years except for locally curable cancers that have been apparently cured, such as basal or squamous cell skin cancer, superficial bladder cancer, or carcinoma in situ of the prostate, cervix, or breast. * Patients having received prior therapy with anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, anti-PD-L2, anti-CD137, or anti-CTLA-4 antibody (or any other antibody or drug specifically targeting T-cell co-stimulation or checkpoint pathways). * Patients receiving anti-cancer therapies must be discontinued at least 4 weeks prior to administration of study drug. Palliative, focal radiation therapy, and immunosuppressive doses of systemic corticosteroids, except replacement organotherapy (hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone), must be discontinued at least 2 weeks before administration of study drug. All toxicities attributed to prior anti-cancer therapy other than alopecia and fatigue must have resolved to grade 1 (NCI CTCAE version 4) or to baseline or stabilized before administration of study drug. Subjects with toxicities attributed to systemic prior anticancer therapy which are not expected to resolve and result in long lasting sequelae, such as neuropathy after platinum based therapy, are permitted to enroll. * Use of non-oncology vaccines containing live virus for prevention of infectious diseases within 4 weeks prior to study drug. The use of the inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine (Fluzone®) is allowed.Known or underlying medical condition (e.g., a condition associated with diarrhea or acute diverticulitis) that, in the investigator's opinion, would make the administration of study drug hazardous to the patient or obscure the interpretation of toxicity determination or adverse events. * Patients requiring concomitant treatment with therapeutic doses of anticoagulants will not be eligible for this clinical trial. Patients treated with low dose of anticoagulants for thrombo-embolic events prophylaxis are allowed. * History of auto immune, immune mediated inflammatory disease including but not limited to colitis, pneumonitis, hepatitis, nephritis, inflammatory of skin, SNC, eyes, glands producing hormones * Active serious infections in particular if requiring systemic antibiotic or antimicrobial therapy * History of severe hypersensitivity reaction to any monoclonal antibody * History of allergy to study drugs components * Treatment with other investigational drugs or treatment in another clinical trial within the past 4 weeks before start of therapy or concomitantly with the trial * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Psychological, familial or social factor incompatible with informed consent, and regular follow-up. * Previous allogenic stem cell transplant or patients recipient of solid organ transplant
Where it's running
-
Gustave Roussy
Villejuif, Val De Marne, France Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Alix MARHIC, MD
- Email: alix.marhic@gustaveroussy.fr
- Phone: +33 (0)1 42 11 42 11
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.