Phase II Trial of CDX-3379 and Cetuximab in Recurrent/Metastatic, HPV-Negative, Cetuximab-Resistant Head and Neck Cancer

Julie E. Bauman, Ricklie Julian, Nabil F. Saba, Trisha M. Wise-Draper, Douglas R. Adkins, Paul O’brien, Mary Jo Fidler, Michael K. Gibson, Umamaheswar Duvvuri, Margo Heath-Chiozzi, Diego Alvarado, Richard Gedrich, Philip Golden, Roger B. Cohen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

In phase I development, CDX-3379, an anti-ErbB3 monoclonal antibody, showed promising molecular and antitumor activity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), alone or in combination with cetuximab. Preliminary biomarker data raised the hypothesis of enhanced response in tumors harboring FAT1 mutations. This phase II, multicenter trial used a Simon 2-stage design to investigate the efficacy of CDX-3379 and cetuximab in 30 patients with recurrent/metastatic, HPV-negative, cetuximab-resistant HNSCC. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included ORR in patients with somatic FAT1 mutations, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. Thirty patients were enrolled from March 2018 to September 2020. The ORR in genomically unselected patients was 2/30 (6.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.8–22.1). Median PFS and OS were 2.2 (95% CI: 1.3–3.6) and 6.6 months (95% CI: 2.7–7.5), respectively. Tissue was available in 27 patients including one of two responders. ORR was 1/10 (complete response; 10%; 95% CI 0.30–44.5) in the FAT1-mutated versus 0/17 (0%; 95% CI: 0–19.5) in the FAT1-wildtype cohorts. Sixteen patients (53%) experienced treatment-related adverse events (AEs) ≥ grade 3. The most common AEs were diarrhea (83%) and acneiform dermatitis (53%). Dose modification was required in 21 patients (70%). The modest ORR coupled with excessive, dose-limiting toxicity of this combination precludes further clinical development. Dual ErbB3-EGFR inhibition remains of scientific interest in HPV-negative HNSCC. Should more tolerable combinations be identified, development in an earlier line of therapy and prospective evaluation of the FAT1 hypothesis warrant consideration.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number2355
JournalCancers
Volume14
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • CDX-3379
  • EGFR
  • ErbB3
  • cetuximab
  • head and neck cancer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Phase II Trial of CDX-3379 and Cetuximab in Recurrent/Metastatic, HPV-Negative, Cetuximab-Resistant Head and Neck Cancer'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this