Trial Outcomes & Findings for A Randomized, Double-Blind Phase II Study of Adjuvant Pembrolizumab Versus Placebo in Head and Neck Cancers at High Risk for Recurrence- the PATHWay Study (NCT NCT02841748)

NCT ID: NCT02841748

Last Updated: 2026-05-13

Results Overview

Time from randomization to disease progression or death from any cause.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE2

Target enrollment

100 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

2 years (PFS at 2 years)

Results posted on

2026-05-13

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Pembrolizumab
200mg, every three weeks, iv, x 1 year Pembrolizumab: 200mg, every three weeks, iv, x 1 year
Placebo
iv, every 3 weeks, x 1 year Placebo: iv, every three weeks, x 1 year
Overall Study
STARTED
49
51
Overall Study
COMPLETED
49
51
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
0
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

One patient in the placebo arm had missing data.

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Pembrolizumab
n=49 Participants
200mg, every three weeks, iv, x 1 year Pembrolizumab: 200mg, every three weeks, iv, x 1 year
Placebo
n=51 Participants
iv, every 3 weeks, x 1 year Placebo: iv, every three weeks, x 1 year
Total
n=100 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
60.0 years
n=49 Participants
64.8 years
n=51 Participants
62.4 years
n=100 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
17 Participants
n=49 Participants • One patient in the placebo arm had missing data.
16 Participants
n=50 Participants • One patient in the placebo arm had missing data.
33 Participants
n=99 Participants • One patient in the placebo arm had missing data.
Sex: Female, Male
Male
32 Participants
n=49 Participants • One patient in the placebo arm had missing data.
34 Participants
n=50 Participants • One patient in the placebo arm had missing data.
66 Participants
n=99 Participants • One patient in the placebo arm had missing data.
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=49 Participants
0 Participants
n=51 Participants
0 Participants
n=100 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
4 Participants
n=49 Participants
0 Participants
n=51 Participants
4 Participants
n=100 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=49 Participants
0 Participants
n=51 Participants
0 Participants
n=100 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
3 Participants
n=49 Participants
5 Participants
n=51 Participants
8 Participants
n=100 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
39 Participants
n=49 Participants
40 Participants
n=51 Participants
79 Participants
n=100 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
1 Participants
n=49 Participants
2 Participants
n=51 Participants
3 Participants
n=100 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
2 Participants
n=49 Participants
4 Participants
n=51 Participants
6 Participants
n=100 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
49 participants
n=49 Participants
51 participants
n=51 Participants
100 participants
n=100 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 2 years (PFS at 2 years)

Time from randomization to disease progression or death from any cause.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Pembrolizumab
n=49 Participants
200mg, every three weeks, iv, x 1 year Pembrolizumab: 200mg, every three weeks, iv, x 1 year
Placebo
n=51 Participants
iv, every 3 weeks, x 1 year Placebo: iv, every three weeks, x 1 year
Progression Free Survival (PFS)
49.7 percentage of participants
Interval 34.6 to 63.1
35.3 percentage of participants
Interval 22.6 to 48.2

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 2 years (PFS at 2 years)

Population: Pre-specified measurement values were not obtained and will never be collected in the future. GES analysis was not done due do not having funding to undertake the gene sequencing.

Time from randomization to disease progression or death from any cause.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 2 years (PFS at 2 years)

Time from randomization to disease progression or death from any cause.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Pembrolizumab
n=15 Participants
200mg, every three weeks, iv, x 1 year Pembrolizumab: 200mg, every three weeks, iv, x 1 year
Placebo
n=22 Participants
iv, every 3 weeks, x 1 year Placebo: iv, every three weeks, x 1 year
Progression Free Survival (PFS) in PD-L1 >=10% Positive Patients
57.1 percentage of participants
Interval 28.4 to 78.0
40.9 percentage of participants
Interval 20.8 to 60.1

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 2 years (OS at 2 years)

Time from randomization to death from any cause

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Pembrolizumab
n=49 Participants
200mg, every three weeks, iv, x 1 year Pembrolizumab: 200mg, every three weeks, iv, x 1 year
Placebo
n=51 Participants
iv, every 3 weeks, x 1 year Placebo: iv, every three weeks, x 1 year
Overall Survival
82.8 percentage of participants
Interval 68.5 to 91.0
82.0 percentage of participants
Interval 68.3 to 90.2

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 2 years (OS at 2 years)

Population: Pre-specified measurement values were not obtained and will never be collected in the future. GES analysis was not done due do not having funding to undertake the gene sequencing.

Time from randomization to death from any cause.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 2 years (OS at 2 years)

Time from randomization to death from any cause.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Pembrolizumab
n=15 Participants
200mg, every three weeks, iv, x 1 year Pembrolizumab: 200mg, every three weeks, iv, x 1 year
Placebo
n=22 Participants
iv, every 3 weeks, x 1 year Placebo: iv, every three weeks, x 1 year
Overall Survival (OS) in PD-L1 >=10% Positive Patients
85.7 percentage of participants
Interval 53.9 to 96.2
95.4 percentage of participants
Interval 71.9 to 99.4

Adverse Events

Pembrolizumab

Serious events: 9 serious events
Other events: 47 other events
Deaths: 13 deaths

Placebo

Serious events: 11 serious events
Other events: 51 other events
Deaths: 15 deaths

Serious adverse events

Serious adverse events
Measure
Pembrolizumab
n=49 participants at risk
200mg, every three weeks, iv, x 1 year Pembrolizumab: 200mg, every three weeks, iv, x 1 year
Placebo
n=51 participants at risk
iv, every 3 weeks, x 1 year Placebo: iv, every three weeks, x 1 year
Renal and urinary disorders
Acute kidney injury
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
3.9%
2/51 • Up to 4 years
Investigations
Alanine aminotransferase increased
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Anemia
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Investigations
Aspartate aminotransferase increased
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Aspiration
4.1%
2/49 • Up to 4 years
3.9%
2/51 • Up to 4 years
Cardiac disorders
Atrial fibrillation
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Dehydration
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Gastrointestinal disorders
Dysphagia
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
General disorders
Facial pain
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
0.00%
0/51 • Up to 4 years
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Fall
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
General disorders
Fatigue
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
0.00%
0/51 • Up to 4 years
Infections and infestations
Hepatitis viral
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hyperglycemia
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
0.00%
0/51 • Up to 4 years
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hyperkalemia
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
3.9%
2/51 • Up to 4 years
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hyponatremia
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Infections and infestations
Infections and infestations - Other
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Injury to carotid artery
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
0.00%
0/51 • Up to 4 years
Investigations
INR increased
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Gastrointestinal disorders
Lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
0.00%
0/51 • Up to 4 years
Infections and infestations
Lung infection
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
0.00%
0/51 • Up to 4 years
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Muscle weakness right-sided
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders - Other
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
0.00%
0/51 • Up to 4 years
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Neck pain
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
0.00%
0/51 • Up to 4 years
Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)
Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
0.00%
0/51 • Up to 4 years
Nervous system disorders
Nervous system disorders - Other
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Gastrointestinal disorders
Oral hemorrhage
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Pharyngeal hemorrhage
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
0.00%
0/51 • Up to 4 years
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Pneumonitis
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
3.9%
2/51 • Up to 4 years
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Respiratory failure
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
0.00%
0/51 • Up to 4 years
Infections and infestations
Sepsis
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Cardiac disorders
Sinus bradycardia
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
0.00%
0/51 • Up to 4 years
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
0.00%
0/51 • Up to 4 years
Infections and infestations
Upper respiratory infection
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Vascular disorders
Vascular disorders - Other
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
0.00%
0/51 • Up to 4 years
Infections and infestations
Wound infection
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Pembrolizumab
n=49 participants at risk
200mg, every three weeks, iv, x 1 year Pembrolizumab: 200mg, every three weeks, iv, x 1 year
Placebo
n=51 participants at risk
iv, every 3 weeks, x 1 year Placebo: iv, every three weeks, x 1 year
Surgical and medical procedures
Surgical and medical procedures - Other
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
9.8%
5/51 • Up to 4 years
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Trismus
12.2%
6/49 • Up to 4 years
5.9%
3/51 • Up to 4 years
Infections and infestations
Upper respiratory infection
10.2%
5/49 • Up to 4 years
13.7%
7/51 • Up to 4 years
Gastrointestinal disorders
Vomiting
8.2%
4/49 • Up to 4 years
5.9%
3/51 • Up to 4 years
Investigations
Weight gain
4.1%
2/49 • Up to 4 years
5.9%
3/51 • Up to 4 years
Investigations
Weight loss
12.2%
6/49 • Up to 4 years
17.6%
9/51 • Up to 4 years
Investigations
White blood cell decreased
6.1%
3/49 • Up to 4 years
3.9%
2/51 • Up to 4 years
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Anorexia
14.3%
7/49 • Up to 4 years
11.8%
6/51 • Up to 4 years
Gastrointestinal disorders
Abdominal pain
10.2%
5/49 • Up to 4 years
5.9%
3/51 • Up to 4 years
Renal and urinary disorders
Acute kidney injury
4.1%
2/49 • Up to 4 years
5.9%
3/51 • Up to 4 years
Investigations
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased
6.1%
3/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Anemia
8.2%
4/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years
Psychiatric disorders
Anxiety
6.1%
3/49 • Up to 4 years
5.9%
3/51 • Up to 4 years
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Arthralgia
18.4%
9/49 • Up to 4 years
15.7%
8/51 • Up to 4 years
Investigations
Asparate aminotransferase increased
6.1%
3/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Back pain
16.3%
8/49 • Up to 4 years
11.8%
6/51 • Up to 4 years
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Blood and lymphatic tissue disorders - Other
6.1%
3/49 • Up to 4 years
3.9%
2/51 • Up to 4 years
Eye disorders
Blurred vision
4.1%
2/49 • Up to 4 years
5.9%
3/51 • Up to 4 years
Gastrointestinal disorders
Chills
8.2%
4/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Gastrointestinal disorders
Colitis
10.2%
5/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Gastrointestinal disorders
Constipation
14.3%
7/49 • Up to 4 years
23.5%
12/51 • Up to 4 years
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Cough
24.5%
12/49 • Up to 4 years
9.8%
5/51 • Up to 4 years
Investigations
Creatinine increased
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
5.9%
3/51 • Up to 4 years
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Dehydration
6.1%
3/49 • Up to 4 years
3.9%
2/51 • Up to 4 years
Psychiatric disorders
Depression
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years
Gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhea
16.3%
8/49 • Up to 4 years
37.3%
19/51 • Up to 4 years
Nervous system disorders
Dizziness
12.2%
6/49 • Up to 4 years
5.9%
3/51 • Up to 4 years
Eye disorders
Dry eye
4.1%
2/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years
Gastrointestinal disorders
Dry mouth
12.2%
6/49 • Up to 4 years
13.7%
7/51 • Up to 4 years
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Dry skin
10.2%
5/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years
Nervous system disorders
Dysgeusia
4.1%
2/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years
Gastrointestinal disorders
Dysphagia
16.3%
8/49 • Up to 4 years
15.7%
8/51 • Up to 4 years
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Dyspnea
12.2%
6/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Ear and labyrinth disorder - Other
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
5.9%
3/51 • Up to 4 years
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Ear pain
6.1%
3/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years
General disorders
Edema face
4.1%
2/49 • Up to 4 years
11.8%
6/51 • Up to 4 years
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Erythema multiforme
6.1%
3/49 • Up to 4 years
3.9%
2/51 • Up to 4 years
Eye disorders
Eye disorders - Other
8.2%
4/49 • Up to 4 years
5.9%
3/51 • Up to 4 years
General disorders
Facial pain
8.2%
4/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Fall
6.1%
3/49 • Up to 4 years
9.8%
5/51 • Up to 4 years
General disorders
Fatigue
49.0%
24/49 • Up to 4 years
60.8%
31/51 • Up to 4 years
General disorders
Fever
14.3%
7/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years
Gastrointestinal disorders
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
6.1%
3/49 • Up to 4 years
3.9%
2/51 • Up to 4 years
Gastrointestinal disorders
Gastrointestinal disorders - Other
18.4%
9/49 • Up to 4 years
19.6%
10/51 • Up to 4 years
General disorders
General disorders and administration site conditions - Other
8.2%
4/49 • Up to 4 years
3.9%
2/51 • Up to 4 years
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Generalized muscle weakness
4.1%
2/49 • Up to 4 years
5.9%
3/51 • Up to 4 years
Nervous system disorders
Headache
12.2%
6/49 • Up to 4 years
27.5%
14/51 • Up to 4 years
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hyperglycemia
8.2%
4/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hyperkalemia
6.1%
3/49 • Up to 4 years
9.8%
5/51 • Up to 4 years
Vascular disorders
Hypertension
6.1%
3/49 • Up to 4 years
9.8%
5/51 • Up to 4 years
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hyponatremia
4.1%
2/49 • Up to 4 years
11.8%
6/51 • Up to 4 years
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hypophosphatemia
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
5.9%
3/51 • Up to 4 years
Endocrine disorders
Hypothyroidism
22.4%
11/49 • Up to 4 years
9.8%
5/51 • Up to 4 years
Infections and infestations
Infections and infestations - Other
6.1%
3/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Injury, poisoning, and procedural complications - Other
6.1%
3/49 • Up to 4 years
3.9%
2/51 • Up to 4 years
Psychiatric disorders
Insomnia
8.2%
4/49 • Up to 4 years
9.8%
5/51 • Up to 4 years
Investigations
Investigations - Other
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
9.8%
5/51 • Up to 4 years
General disorders
Localized edema
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
9.8%
5/51 • Up to 4 years
Vascular disorders
Lymphedema
6.1%
3/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years
General disorders
Malaise
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
5.9%
3/51 • Up to 4 years
Gastrointestinal disorders
Mucositis oral
14.3%
7/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders - Other
10.2%
5/49 • Up to 4 years
13.7%
7/51 • Up to 4 years
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Myalgia
8.2%
4/49 • Up to 4 years
13.7%
7/51 • Up to 4 years
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Nasal congestion
8.2%
4/49 • Up to 4 years
3.9%
2/51 • Up to 4 years
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea
20.4%
10/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years
General disorders
Neck edema
4.1%
2/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Neck pain
6.1%
3/49 • Up to 4 years
9.8%
5/51 • Up to 4 years
General disorders
Non-cardiac chest pain
10.2%
5/49 • Up to 4 years
3.9%
2/51 • Up to 4 years
General disorders
Oral dysesthesia
4.1%
2/49 • Up to 4 years
5.9%
3/51 • Up to 4 years
Gastrointestinal disorders
Oral hemorrhage
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
5.9%
3/51 • Up to 4 years
Gastrointestinal disorders
Oral pain
12.2%
6/49 • Up to 4 years
25.5%
13/51 • Up to 4 years
General disorders
Pain
18.4%
9/49 • Up to 4 years
17.6%
9/51 • Up to 4 years
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Pain in extremity
8.2%
4/49 • Up to 4 years
11.8%
6/51 • Up to 4 years
Nervous system disorders
Paresthesia
4.1%
2/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years
Nervous system disorders
Peripheral sensory neuropathy
12.2%
6/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Productive cough
0.00%
0/49 • Up to 4 years
5.9%
3/51 • Up to 4 years
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Pruritis
14.3%
7/49 • Up to 4 years
15.7%
8/51 • Up to 4 years
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Rash acneiform
14.3%
7/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Rash maculo-papular
20.4%
10/49 • Up to 4 years
11.8%
6/51 • Up to 4 years
Renal and urinary disorders
Renal and urinary disorder - Other
6.1%
3/49 • Up to 4 years
2.0%
1/51 • Up to 4 years
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders - Other
2.0%
1/49 • Up to 4 years
9.8%
5/51 • Up to 4 years
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Skin and subcutaneous disorders - Other
18.4%
9/49 • Up to 4 years
21.6%
11/51 • Up to 4 years
Infections and infestations
Skin infection
6.1%
3/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Sore throat
14.3%
7/49 • Up to 4 years
7.8%
4/51 • Up to 4 years

Additional Information

Theodore Karrison

University of Chicago

Phone: 708-925-6771

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place

Restriction type: GT60