Purpose

The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the effectiveness of using a combination of pembrolizumab and olaparib when given before and after standard chemoradiation therapy in treating locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Pembrolizumab and olaparib are drugs that are approved for head and neck cancer treatment. However, FDA has not approved the use of these two drugs together in treating head and neck cancer.

Condition

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

In order to participate in this study, a subject must meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined below. 1. Age >18 years on the day of signing the consent 2. Written informed consent obtained to participate in the study and HIPAA authorization for release of personal health information. 3. Subject is willing and able to comply with study procedures based on the judgment of the investigator or protocol designee. The subject must be willing to consent to a mandatory pre-study biopsy unless sufficient archival tissue is available. 4. Biopsy confirmed American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th Edition35 stage III-IV B oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), p16-negative oropharyngeal SCC, stage III-IVB hypopharyngeal SCC, stage III-IVB laryngeal SCC -OR- HPV-associated oropharyngeal SCC (p16 positive or HPV-associated) T4 or N3 , T1-3 N2 or T3N0-1 with >10 pack-year tobacco history 5. At least one lesion (measurable and/or non-measurable) that can be accurately assessed at baseline by imaging (CT/ PET) and is suitable for repeated assessment. 6. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1 7. No prior curative attempts for this cancer (i.e., surgery, radiation, systemic therapy) and not currently participating in or has participated in a study of an investigational agent or has used an investigational device within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of the study intervention. No evidence of metastatic disease (M0)

Exclusion Criteria

  1. Subjects with prior and concurrent malignancies of different tumor types whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the study drug are eligible with the following exception: Subjects with prior history of HNSCC treated < 3 years to the date of consent. 2. Cisplatin-ineligible as defined in the protocol. 3. Severe, active medical comorbidity. Subjects are considered a poor medical risk due to a serious, uncontrolled medical disorder, non-malignant systemic disease, or active, uncontrolled infection. Examples include, but are not limited to, uncontrolled ventricular arrhythmia, recent (within 3 months) myocardial infarction, uncontrolled major seizure disorder, unstable spinal cord compression, superior vena cava syndrome, extensive interstitial bilateral lung disease on High Resolution Computed Tomography scan or any psychiatric disorder that prohibits obtaining informed consent. 4. Subjects unable to swallow orally administered medication prior to initiation of study treatment. 5. Systemic glucocorticoids for any purpose other than to modulate symptoms from an event of clinical interest of suspected immunologic etiology

Study Design

Phase
Phase 2
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
N/A
Intervention Model
Single Group Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Single Arm
The participants will receive neoadjuvant and adjuvant pembrolizumab and olaparib combination plus standard of care (chemoradiation therapy) as defined in the protocol.
  • Biological: Pembrolizumab
    In the induction phase, participants will receive a single intravenous infusion of pembrolizumab 400 mg prior to chemoradiotherapy. In the Maintenance Phase, participants will receive pembrolizumab 400 mg every 42 days for 8 cycles.
    Other names:
    • KEYTRUDA®
    • MK-3475
  • Drug: Olaparib
    In the induction phase, participants will receive daily oral olaparib 150 mg two times a day for 3 weeks prior to chemoradiotherapy. In the Maintenance Phase, participants will receive daily olaparib 150 mg two times a day for up to 48 weeks.
    Other names:
    • AZD-2281
    • MK-7339
    • KU0059436
  • Drug: Cisplatin
    In the chemoradiation phase, participants will receive weekly intravenous cisplatin infusion, 40 mg/m2 over 7 weeks. In the chemoradiation phase, standard of care radiation therapy and chemotherapy will be administered, for a total of 7 weeks. Radiation therapy is done on daily basis (excluding weekends), and chemotherapy therapy will involve cisplatin infusion once weekly.
    Other names:
    • CDDP
    • Cis-diammine-dichloroplatinum
    • Cis-diamminedichloridoplatinum
    • Cis-platinum
  • Radiation: IMRT (intensity modulated radiation therapy)
    In the chemoradiation phase, participants will receive 70 Gray external beam radiotherapy, at 2 Gray/fraction dose, 35 fractions, delivered once a day, on weekdays, using Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Treatments or proton radiotherapy techniques, over 7 weeks.

Recruiting Locations

Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
Contact:
Jessica Garrett
317-274-0101
garrejes@iu.edu

University of Louisville, Brown Cancer Center
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Contact:
Jennifer Stacy
502-217-5244
jennifer.stacy.1@louisville.edu

UNC Lineberger
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
Contact:
Jonathan Jackson
jonathan_jackson@med.unc.edu

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)
Charleston, South Carolina 29425
Contact:
Madison Avinger
843-792-4421
avingerm@musc.edu

More Details

NCT ID
NCT05366166
Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Study Contact

Lori Stravers
919-966-4432
lori_stravers@med.unc.edu

Detailed Description

Treatment outcomes are poor for patients with locally advance human papilloma virus (HPV) negative and high-risk HPV positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). One standard of care (SOC) for HNSCC is definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT). This study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the addition of pembrolizumab, an anti-programmed death-1 (PD1) inhibitor, and olaparib, a Polyadenosine 5'diphosphoribose polymerization (PARP) inhibitor, before and after SOC CRT, which will be delivered in 70 Gray in 35 fractions with concurrent weekly cisplatin 40 mg/m2 over 7 weeks. Treatment will be offered in three sequential phases. In the induction phase, participants will receive one infusion of pembrolizumab and will take olaparib tablets for a total of 21 days. In the chemoradiation phase, radiation therapy will administered daily (excluding weekends) and cisplatin infusion will be given weekly. In the maintenance phase, pembrolizumab infusion will be done once every 6 weeks in additional to twice daily olaparib tablets for up to 8 treatment cycles that are 42-days per cycle.

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.