Comparing Radiation Plus Cetuximab to Radiation Plus Chemotherapy in People With Head and Neck Cancer Who Cannot Receive Cisplatin

Summary

This phase III trial compares cetuxumab to chemotherapy, carboplatin and paclitaxel, with intensity modulated radiation therapy for the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer who are unable to receive cisplatin. Cetuximab is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It binds to a protein called EGFR, which is found on some types of cancer cells. This may help keep cancer cells from growing. Carboplatin is in a class of medications known as platinum-containing compounds. It works in a way similar to the anticancer drug cisplatin, but may be better tolerated than cisplatin. Carboplatin works by killing, stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells. Paclitaxel is in a class of medications called antimicrotubule agents. It stops cancer cells from growing and dividing and may kill them. Intensity modulated radiation therapy is a type of 3-dimensional radiation therapy that uses computer-generated images to show the size and shape of the tumor. Thin beams of radiation of different intensities are aimed at the tumor from many angles. This type of radiation therapy reduces the damage to healthy tissue near the tumor. It is not yet know if cetxiumab or chemotherapy, with intensity modulated radiation therapy works best for the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer who are unable to receive cisplatin.

Conditions

• Clinical Stage I HPV-Mediated (p16-Positive) Oropharyngeal Carcinoma AJCC v8
• Clinical Stage II HPV-Mediated (p16-Positive) Oropharyngeal Carcinoma AJCC v8
• Clinical Stage III HPV-Mediated (p16-Positive) Oropharyngeal Carcinoma AJCC v8
• Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Stage III Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma AJCC v8
• Stage III Laryngeal Cancer AJCC v8
• Stage III Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer AJCC v8
• Stage III Oropharyngeal (p16-Negative) Carcinoma AJCC v8
• Stage IVA Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma AJCC v8
• Stage IVA Laryngeal Cancer AJCC v8
• Stage IVA Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer AJCC v8
• Stage IVA Oropharyngeal (p16-Negative) Carcinoma AJCC v8
• Stage IVB Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma AJCC v8
• Stage IVB Laryngeal Cancer AJCC v8
• Stage IVB Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer AJCC v8
• Stage IVB Oropharyngeal (p16-Negative) Carcinoma AJCC v8

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Biospecimen Collection

Undergo blood sample collection

DRUG

Carboplatin

Given IV

BIOLOGICAL

Cetuximab

Given IV

PROCEDURE

Computed Tomography

Undergo CT scan

RADIATION

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy

Undergo IMRT

PROCEDURE

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Undergo MRI

DRUG

Paclitaxel

Given IV

PROCEDURE

Positron Emission Tomography

Undergo PET scan

OTHER

Survey Administration

Ancillary studies

Sponsors & Collaborators

• NRG Oncology

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Loren K Mell · NRG Oncology

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2027-01-06

Primary Completion

2035-11-30

Completion

2035-11-30