Study of Radiotherapy with Cetuximab and Xevinapant for Patients with Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Unfit for High-Dose Cisplatin

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What is this study about?

This clinical trial is focused on studying a type of cancer called locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. This is a condition where cancer cells form in the tissues of the head and neck area. The study is testing a new treatment combination that includes a drug called xevinapant, also known by its code name Debio 1143, along with another medication called cetuximab. These drugs will be used together with radiotherapy, which is a treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.

The purpose of the study is to compare the effectiveness of the combination of xevinapant and cetuximab with radiotherapy against the standard treatment of cetuximab with radiotherapy and a placebo. Participants in the study will be randomly assigned to receive either the new treatment combination or the standard treatment. The study will be conducted in a double-blind manner, meaning neither the participants nor the researchers will know who is receiving the new treatment or the standard treatment until the study is completed. This helps ensure that the results are not biased.

Throughout the study, participants will receive regular assessments to monitor their health and the progress of their cancer. The study aims to determine if the new treatment combination can improve outcomes for patients who are not suitable for high-dose chemotherapy. The trial will last for several years, allowing researchers to gather enough data to make informed conclusions about the treatment’s effectiveness and safety.

1 joining the study

Upon joining the study, you will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive a combination of radiotherapy, cetuximab, and xevinapant. The other group will receive radiotherapy, cetuximab, and a placebo.

2 treatment administration

If you are in the group receiving xevinapant, you will take it as an oral solution. The exact dosage and frequency will be provided by the study team.

The cetuximab will be given as an IV infusion (intravenous infusion), which means it will be administered directly into your vein. The dosage and frequency will be determined by the study protocol.

3 radiotherapy sessions

You will undergo radiotherapy sessions as part of your treatment. The number of sessions and the duration will be specified by the study team.

4 monitoring and assessments

Throughout the study, your health and response to the treatment will be closely monitored. This will include regular assessments to check for any side effects and to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.

5 completion of the study

At the end of the study period, you will have a final assessment to determine the overall outcome of the treatment. This will include a review of your health status and any changes in your condition.

Who Can Join the Study?

Must be a male or female aged 18 years or older and younger than 80 years.
Must have an ECOG PS of 0-1, which means having a good level of daily functioning.
Must have a confirmed diagnosis of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck that has not been treated before. This includes certain stages and locations like the oral cavity, hypopharynx, and larynx. If the cancer is in the oropharynx, it must be HPV-negative or HPV-positive with a smoking history of more than 20 pack-years and meet specific stage criteria.
Must be able to swallow liquids or have a functioning feeding tube.
Must be ineligible for high-dose cisplatin treatment, which is a type of chemotherapy. This ineligibility is based on certain health conditions like reduced kidney function, hearing loss, nerve damage, heart issues, or being unfit if over 70 years old.
Must have adequate blood, kidney, and liver function as shown by specific medical tests.
Must agree to use appropriate contraception if applicable.
Must be able to give informed consent, meaning they understand and agree to the study’s requirements and restrictions.

Who Cannot Join the Study?

Patients with any other type of cancer that is not locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck cannot participate.
Patients who have received treatment with xevinapant or similar drugs before cannot participate.
Patients who have had a severe allergic reaction to cetuximab or similar drugs cannot participate.
Patients with uncontrolled medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, cannot participate.
Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding cannot participate.
Patients who are participating in another clinical trial cannot participate.
Patients with a history of another cancer within the last 5 years, except for certain skin cancers or in situ cervical cancer, cannot participate.
Patients with active infections, including HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C, cannot participate.
Patients with significant heart problems, such as heart failure or a recent heart attack, cannot participate.
Patients with a history of severe lung disease cannot participate.

Where you can join this trial?

Verified and Recommended Sites

No sites found in this category

Verified Sites

Site Name	City	Country
Centre Jean Perrin	Clermont Ferrand	France
Clinique Pasteur	Toulouse	France
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire De Bordeaux	Bordeaux	France
Institut De Cancerologie De Lorraine	Vandoeuvre Les Nancy	France
Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal Creteil	Creteil	France
Comite Entreprise Paul Papin	Angers	France
Institut Gustave Roussy	Villejuif	France

Other Sites

Site Name	City	Country
Institut De Cancerologie Strasbourg Europe	STRASBOURG, Alsace	France
Centre Henri Becquerel	Rouen	France
Hopital Saint Joseph	Marseille	France
Groupe Hospitalier Bretagne Sud	Lorient	France
Centre Antoine Lacassagne	Nice	France
Hopital Tenon	Paris	France
Clinique Victor Hugo	Le Mans	France
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire De Nantes	Nantes	France
Institut Sainte Catherine	Avignon	France
CHP Sainte Marie Osny	Osny	France
Hopital Nord Franche-Comte	Belfort	France
Institut de Cancérologie de l’Ouest	Saint-Herblain	France
Centre Francois Baclesse	Caen	France
L’Hopital Prive Du Confluent	Nantes	France
CLINIQUE MUTUALISTE DE L’ESTUAIRE	St Nazaire	France
Cmekzc Deyrkdwgxjfsvewov Rspsxzrxwefzt 3y	Chambray Les Tours	France
Iopdukmv Rnllykcc Dl Cfmyhr Dc Mdywyqyxcxh	Montpellier	France
Czkgne Hervvhhynxg dz Brdhjfpq sdn Msq	Boulogne sur Mer	France
Abrkxcbvst Poplkfdg Heendoyg Dg Mzuetaqyu	Marseille	France
Cpymsb Hpztpzkrfmg Rlpsgxkz Ufhgqfxwzwpev Df Trxos	Tours	France

Trial status

Country	Status	Recruitment Start
France	Not recruiting	15.09.2023

Trial locations

Investigated drugs:

Cetuximab is a medication used in this trial that works by targeting specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells. These proteins are involved in the growth and spread of cancer. By blocking these proteins, cetuximab can help slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells. It is often used in combination with other treatments to enhance their effectiveness.

Xevinapant is another medication being tested in this trial. It is designed to help make cancer cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. By doing this, xevinapant may improve the effectiveness of the radiation treatment, potentially leading to better outcomes for patients. This medication is being studied to see if it can help improve the chances of controlling the cancer when used alongside other treatments.

Radiotherapy is a common treatment for cancer that uses high-energy rays to target and destroy cancer cells. In this trial, radiotherapy is combined with medications to see if the combination can improve treatment results. The goal is to damage the cancer cells’ DNA, which can stop them from growing and dividing, ultimately leading to their destruction.

Investigated diseases:

Head and neck cancer

Locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck – This disease is a type of cancer that originates in the squamous cells, which are flat cells found in the lining of the head and neck region. It is considered locally advanced when the cancer has spread from its original site to nearby tissues or lymph nodes but not to distant parts of the body. The progression of this carcinoma involves the growth and spread of cancerous cells, which can invade surrounding tissues and structures. As the disease advances, it may cause symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, changes in voice, or persistent sore throat. The cancer can continue to grow and affect more areas within the head and neck if not managed.

Trial ID:

2022-502584-38-00

Protocol code:

GORTEC-2022-01

Trial Phase:

Therapeutic confirmatory (Phase III)

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Study of Radiotherapy with Cetuximab and Xevinapant for Patients with Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Unfit for High-Dose Cisplatin

What is this study about?

Who Can Join the Study?

Who Cannot Join the Study?