Randomized phase II trial of cixutumumab (CIX) alone or with cetuximab (CET) for refractory recurrent/metastatic squamous cancer of head and neck (R/M-SCCHN).

Abstract

6030 Background: Preclinical evidence supports clinical investigation of IGF-1R inhibitors alone, or combined with EGFR inhibitors, in SCCHN patients (pts). CIX and CET monoclonal antibodies block ligand binding to IGF-1R and EGFR, respectively. CIX mono and CIX+CET combo were studied in pts with chemotherapy-refractory R/M-SCCHN. Methods: This open-label phase II trial randomized 97 pts with R/M-SCCHN, ECOG PS 0-2 and disease progression following (<90 days) platinum-based chemotherapy, to CIX 10 mg/kg alone (Arm A) or with CET 500 mg/m2 (Arm B) every 2 wks. Time to recurrence from last anti-EGFR exposure had to be >90 days; pts were stratified by prior CET exposure. Primary endpoint was median PFS (RECIST assessments every 8 wks). Efficacy endpoints in the CET-naïve patients, immunohistochemical analysis of 10 relevant markers on tumor specimens, and cytokine/angiogenic factor profiling of blood samples obtained serially through treatment were also examined. Results: 47 Arm A and 44 arm B pts were treated: median age: 60.0 y (35 - 81), PS 0/1/2: 17.6%/62.6%/19.8%, male (80.2%), tumors originating mainly from oropharynx (67.1%), supraglottic (9.9%) and oral cavity (13.2%), with 33% moderately and 36.3% poorly differentiated tumors, previous therapy: 98.9% chemotherapy and 82.4% radiotherapy indicating no baseline differences. Most common tx-emergent AEs were fatigue (55.3 vs. 61.4%), dermatitis acneiform (6.4 vs 63.6%), nausea (29.8 vs. 34.1%), weight decreased (25.5 vs. 29.5%), hyperglycemia (25.5% vs. 29.5%), vomiting (21.3 vs. 20.5%), and headache (17 vs. 25%). Efficacy: See Table. Conclusions: Targeting IGF-1R alone with CIX or co-targeting IGF-1R and EGFR with CIX and CET did not result in improved PFS compared to historical data with CET alone in patients with chemotherapy-refractory R/M-SCCHN. The results of this study do not support CIX single-agent activity in this patient population. Therapy on both arms was feasible. There was no apparent exacerbation of CET toxicity by concurrent CIX exposure. Clinical trial information: NCT00617734. [Table: see text]