Conditions: Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Cancer
Keywords: Head and Neck Cancer Recurrent or Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Cancer Cetuximab EMD 1201081
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 107
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
The purpose of this study is to determine if EMD 1201081 in combination with cetuximab is more efficient than cetuximab alone to control the cancer.

EMD 1201081 is an immune modulatory oligonucleotide (IMO) containing phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide and acts as an agonist of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9).

EMD 1201081 has been studied in six clinical trials in over 170 subjects either as a monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents or targeted therapies. Two studies have been conducted in healthy volunteers. In the other five studies, subjects with advanced solid tumors, renal cell carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer have been treated with EMD 1201081. Two studies are still ongoing. Future clinical development of EMD 1201081 will focus on colorectal cancer (CRC) and squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCCHN).

In this Phase 2 study, subjects with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN), will be treated with cetuximab plus EMD 1201081 or cetuximab alone. The study will be conducted as a multicenter study in several European Union (EU) member states and the Unites States.

EMD 1201081 in combination with cetuximab will be evaluated for antitumor activity in subjects by examining its effects on accepted clinical endpoints. Progression-free survival (PFS) will be evaluated in subjects treated with EMD 1201081 plus cetuximab compared to cetuximab alone in cetuximab-naïve subjects with R/M SCCHN who have progressed on a cytotoxic therapy.

Cetuximab, approved in colorectal cancer and SCCHN in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy and SCCHN in combination with radiotherapy in the EU, will be provided as investigational medicinal product (IMP) in this study. Commercially available Cetuximab will be provided in the United States.

Detailed description:

Arms:
arm 1: None arm 2: None

Interventions: intervention 1: Cetuximab intervention 2: EMD 1201081
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Cetuximab weekly (initial dose 400 milligram per square meter \[mg/m\^2\] over 120 minutes followed by 250 mg/m\^2 intravenous infusion over 60 minutes) will be administered in 3-week treatment cycle until disease progression. The total treatment period will be approximately 18 months. intervention 2: EMD 1201081 weekly (0.32 milligram per kilogram \[mg/kg\] by subcutaneous injection) will be administered in 3-week treatment cycle until disease progression. Subjects who will discontinue cetuximab due to toxicity in cetuximab monotherapy, could continue to receive EMD 1201081 monotherapy until disease progression. The total treatment period will be approximately 18 months.

Protocol document: