Clinical trial NCT00705016
Conditions: Squamous Cell Cancer
Keywords: Randomized treatment open-label controlled recurrent metastatic SCCHN suitable for local therapy
Sponsor: Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
Start date: 2008-10-01; Completion date: 2013-06-01
Enrollment: 184 participants; Allocation: RANDOMIZED; Intervention model: PARALLEL

Brief summary:
The purpose of this open-label, randomized, controlled, Phase 1/2 study of the integrin inhibitor cilengitide is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the combination of different regimens of cilengitide added to cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and cetuximab in participants with recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

The Phase 1 part was conducted in dedicated study centers. In the Phase 2 part of this trial, cilengitide is administered at two different doses to two experimental groups. The third group will only receive cisplatin, 5-FU and cetuximab. In the Phase 1 part of this trial, the dose of cilengitide in combination with cisplatin, 5-FU and cetuximab was determined.

Cilengitide is an experimental anti-cancer substance interacting with so-called integrins. Integrins are protein molecules that are known to be present on the surface of certain cancer cells. Integrins are also found on certain cells that belong to growing blood vessels (endothelial cells). Integrins potentially facilitate the blood vessels' support of the tumor (angiogenesis) as well as the tumor's growth and further spread throughout the body (metastasis). By inhibiting integrins on the tumor cell surface, cilengitide potentially kills cancer cells, and potentially sensitizes cancer cells to other co-administered therapeutics. By inhibiting integrins on the endothelial cell surface, it potentially inhibits the ingrowth of additional blood vessels towards the tumor.

Cilengitide is given as an intravenous infusion (given by a drip in one vein of your arm). If any unacceptable side effect occurs, treatment with the study drug will be stopped.

Detailed description:

Arms: arm 1: None arm 2: None arm 3: None
Interventions: intervention 1: Cilengitide 2000 mg once weekly intervention 2: Cilengitide 2000 mg twice weekly intervention 3: Cetuximab intervention 4: 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) intervention 5: Cisplatin
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Cilengitide 500 milligram (mg) will be administered as an intravenous infusion over 60 minutes, daily from Day 1 to 4 of the first week of each 3-week cycle, subsequently followed by 2000 mg dose of cilengitide on Day 8 and 15 of every cycle for a total of 6 cycles (18 weeks) or until PD, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal for any other reason. After 6 cycles, participants received cilengitide 2000 mg once weekly until PD, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal for any other reason. intervention 2: Cilengitide 2000 mg will be administered as an intravenous infusion over 60 minutes, twice weekly on Day 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, and 18 of each 3-week cycle for a total of 6 cycles (18 weeks) or until PD, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal for any other reason. After 6 cycles, participants will receive cilengitide 2000 mg once weekly until PD, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal for any other reason. intervention 3: Cetuximab will be administered as 250 milligram per square meter (mg/m\^2) as infusion (initial starting dose of 400 mg/m\^2) on Day 1, 8 and 15 of each 3-week treatment cycle. Cetuximab will be administered for a total of 6 cycles (18 weeks) or until PD, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal for any other reason. After 6 cycles, participants received Cetuximab 250 mg/m\^2 once weekly until PD, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal for any other reason. intervention 4: 5-FU will be administered as an intravenous continuous infusion at a dose of 1000 mg/m\^2 daily from Day 1 to 4 of each 3-week treatment cycle. 5-FU will be administered for a total of 6 cycles (18 weeks), or until PD, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal for any other reason, whichever occur first. intervention 5: Cisplatin will be administered as an intravenous infusion over 60 minutes, at a dose 100 mg/m\^2 on Day 1 of each 3-week treatment cycle. Cisplatin will be administered for a total of 6 cycles (18 weeks), or until PD, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal for any other reason, whichever occur first.

Protocol documents: