Summary
The Phase 3 study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of a targeted drug called petosemtamab plus pembrolizumab immunotherapy, compared to pembrolizumab alone as first-line treatment for recurrent or metastatic PD-L1+ head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
Eligible HNSCC primary tumour locations are back of the mouth (oropharynx), oral cavity, lower part of the throat (hypopharynx), and voice box (larynx).
Participants will be randomly allocated (by chance) to receive either the combination petosemtamab + pembrolizumab or pembrolizumab monotherapy.
Prior treatment criteria
HNSCC patients should not have had previous systemic therapy administered in the incurable recurrent or metastatic setting, although prior systemic therapy as part of multimodal treatment for locally advanced disease is allowed if PD was at least 6 months after the last platinum-containing therapy dose. Previous treatments with anti PD(L)1 or anti-EGFR therapies are not allowed. In the case of cetuximab, people who have received cetuximab with radiation therapy as local treatment and PD was more than 1 year after the last dose of cetuximab are eligible.