Becotatug Vedotin Combined With Pucotenlimab as Neoadjuvant Therapy for Resectable Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma After Progression on Immunotherapy: A Prospective Phase II Study
Becotatug Vedotin: Becotatug vedotin as one of the drugs used in neoadjuvant therapy.
Pucotenlimab: Pucotenlimab as one of the drugs used in neoadjuvant therapy.
Study summary
This is a prospective, single-arm, multi-center, Phase II clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant becotatug vedotin (an anti-EGFR antibody-drug conjugate) combined with pucotenlimab (HX008, an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody) in patients with resectable recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (rHNSCC) who have progressed on prior PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor and platinum-based therapy.
A total of 42 EGFR-positive patients will be enrolled using Simon's two-stage design across 11 centers in China (Stage 1: 25 patients; Stage 2: 17 additional patients with 5% dropout). Enrolled patients will receive 3 cycles of neoadjuvant becotatug vedotin (2.3 mg/kg, IV, Q3W) plus pucotenlimab (3 mg/kg, IV, Q3W), followed by salvage surgery (3-4 weeks later), adjuvant radiotherapy +/- chemotherapy per NCCN/CSCO guidelines, and pucotenlimab maintenance therapy (3 mg/kg, Q3W) for up to 12 cycles or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
The primary endpoint is major pathological response (MPR) rate. The null hypothesis MPR rate is 14% (historical data) and the target MPR rate is 30% (alpha=0.05, power=0.8, one-sided). Secondary endpoints include objective response rate (ORR), pathological complete response (pCR), survival outcomes, quality of life, and safety.
Eligibility
Sex
ALL
Min age
18 Years
Max age
75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
INCLUSION CRITERIA:
1. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1
2. Age 18-75 years at time of consent
3. Histologically or cytologically confirmed recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
4. Disease progression after prior treatment including both PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor and platinum-based therapy (combined or sequential)
5. EGFR protein expression positive by immunohistochemistry (IHC), with no EGFR-targeted therapy within 6 months prior to enrollment
6. Willing to provide archived tumor tissue or undergo fresh tumor biopsy for EGFR testing
7. At least one measurable extracranial lesion per RECIST v1.1; previously treated lesions must demonstrate clear progression 3 or more months after last local treatment
8. Resectable disease with no distant metastasis, as assessed by a multidisciplinary team
9. Adequate organ function within 7 days prior to enrollment: ANC at least 2.0 x 10\^9/L, platelet count at least 100 x 10\^9/L; total bilirubin less than 1.5 x ULN, ALT/AST less than 2.5 x ULN; serum creatinine less than 1.5 x ULN
10. Signed informed consent prior to any study-specific procedures
11. Life expectancy greater than 3 months
12. Effective contraception during study and for 6 months after last dose
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
1. History of other malignancies (except cured basal cell carcinoma or cervical carcinoma in situ)
2. Comorbidities requiring long-term immunosuppressive therapy or corticosteroids at immunosuppressive doses
3. Immunodeficiency or history of organ transplantation (including interstitial pneumonia, hepatitis, nephritis, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism)
4. HIV/AIDS; untreated active hepatitis B (HBV-DNA at least 500 IU/mL); hepatitis C (HCV-RNA above detection limit); or HBV/HCV co-infection
5. High-dose systemic corticosteroids within 4 weeks prior to enrollment
6. Pregnant or lactating women; fertile patients not using effective contraception
7. Laboratory values not meeting inclusion criteria within 7 days
8. Significantly impaired cardiac, hepatic, pulmonary, renal, or bone marrow function
9. Severe uncontrolled comorbidities or active infections
10. Concurrent participation in other clinical trials
11. Refusal or inability to sign informed consent
12. Other contraindications to study treatment as determined by the investigator
13. Psychiatric disorders or mental illness resulting in lack of legal capacity
Primary outcome measure(s)
Major Pathological Response Rate (MPR) — At time of surgery, approximately 12 weeks after enrollment Proportion of patients with less than or equal to 10% viable tumor cells in the surgically resected specimen after neoadjuvant therapy, assessed by central pathology review.
Trial sites (12)
Facility
City
Region
Status
The First People's Hospital of Foshan
Foshan
Guangdong
Cancer Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University
Guangzhou
Guangdong
Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital
Guangzhou
Guangdong
Guangzhou First People's Hospital
Guangzhou
Guangdong
Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
Guangzhou
Guangdong
The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University
Guangzhou
Guangdong
Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University
Guangzhou
Guangdong
Qingyuan People's Hospital
Qingyuan
Guangdong
Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College
Shantou
Guangdong
Shenzhen Second People's Hospital
Shenzhen
Guangdong
Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
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