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Closed (no longer recruiting)Last updated: 21 December 2023

CheckMate 651: This phase III trial is comparing immunotherapy (with nivolumab and ipilimumab) with the 'extreme study regimen' as a first line treatment for patients with a squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck that has come back or has spread to other parts of the bodyAn Open Label, Randomized, Two Arm Phase III Study of Nivolumab in Combination With Ipilimumab Versus Extreme Study Regimen (Cetuximab + Cisplatin/Carboplatin + Fluorouracil) as First Line Therapy in Recurrent or Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN)

Clinical summary

Summary

The main purpose of this study is to compare nivolumab and ipilimumab with the Extreme study regimen as first line treatment in patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell of the head and neck cancer

Conditions

This trial is treating patients with Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck (including the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx or larynx).

Cancer

Head and Neck Cancers Head and Neck

Age

People18+

Phase

III

Trial Acronym

CheckMate 651

More information

Trial Identifiers

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Trial sponsor

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS)

Scientific Title

An Open Label, Randomized, Two Arm Phase III Study of Nivolumab in Combination With Ipilimumab Versus Extreme Study Regimen (Cetuximab + Cisplatin/Carboplatin + Fluorouracil) as First Line Therapy in Recurrent or Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN)

Eligibility

Inclusion

  • Histologically confirmed metastatic or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx & larynx) that is not amenable to curative therapy.
  • No prior systemic cancer therapy for recurrent or metastatic disease (except if chemotherapy was part of multimodal treatment completed 6 months prior to enrolment).
  • Measurable disease detected by imaging exam (CT or MRI).
  • Have tumor tissue for PD L1 expression testing, and for oropharyngeal cancer have results from testing of HPV p16 status.

Exclusion

  • Metastatic or recurrent carcinoma of the nasopharynx, squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary, squamous cell carcinoma originating from skin and salivary glands or non squamous histologies (eg. mucosal melanoma).
  • No prior treatment with anti PD1, anti PD L1, anti CTLA 4 antibody or any other antibody or drugs targeting T cell costimulation or checkpoint pathways, or cetuximab or EGFR inhibitors in any treatment setting.
  • Participants with certain diseases such as active autoimmune disease, type I diabetes, hypothyroidism that needs hormone replacement, active infection, psychiatric disorder.
  • Inadequate hematologic, renal or hepatic function.

Other protocol defined inclusion/exclusion criteria could apply

Inclusion

  • You have had treatment, but your cancer has come back.
  • Your cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Exclusion

  • You have certain types of non-cancer medical conditions.
  • You have had certain treatments, surgical procedures or drugs.
Message

Clinical trials have complex eligibility criteria.

Ask your doctor if this trial could be right for you.

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