Cancerify Logo
Log inSign up
Back to clinical trials
RecruitingInterventionalPhase 3

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo - Controlled, Phase 3 Study of Ficlatuzumab in Combination With Cetuximab in Participants With Recurrent or Metastatic (R/M) HPV -Negative Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. (FIERCE-HN)

NCT ID: NCT06064877Sponsor: AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Last updated: 2026-04-09

Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of ficlatuzumab plus cetuximab compared to placebo plus cetuximab in participants with recurrent/metastatic (R/M) HPV-negative Head and Neck Cancer. The primary hypothesis is that ficlatuzumab combined with cetuximab is superior to cetuximab alone in terms of progression-free survival and/or overall survival.

Detailed description

This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study is designed to compare the efficacy and safety of two dose levels of ficlatuzumab combined with cetuximab (Arm 1 or Arm 2) to a control arm of placebo plus cetuximab (Arm 3) in participants with R/M human papilloma virus (HPV)-negative HNSCC. Eligible participants must have failed prior therapy with an anti-PD-1 \[programmed cell death protein 1\] or PD-L1 \[programmed death ligand 1\] immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) and with platinum-based chemotherapy, administered in combination or sequentially. Failure of prior treatment may be due to progression of disease or intolerance to treatment. It is anticipated that the study will enroll approximately 410 participants across 3 arms.

Arms & interventions

  • BiologicalFiclatuzumab

    Ficlatuzumab (AV-299) is a humanized hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) inhibitory immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody (mAb).

  • BiologicalCetuximab

    Cetuximab is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antagonist.

  • OtherPlacebo

    Placebo for this study will be normal saline

Outcome measures

Primary

  • To compare the efficacy by overall survival of ficlatuzumab plus cetuximab vs placebo plus cetuximab in participants with recurrent/metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)

    Overall survival (OS), defined as the time from the date of randomization to the date of death for any cause

    Time frame: From Randomization until death from any cause (Approximately 44 months)

Secondary

  • To evaluate progression-free survival (PFS) for ficlatuzumab plus cetuximab vs placebo plus cetuximab in participants with R/M HNSCC

    Time frame: From Randomization until disease progression or death (Approximately 44 months)

  • To evaluate additional objective response rate for ficlatuzumab plus cetuximab vs placebo plus cetuximab in participants with R/M HNSCC

    Time frame: From Cycle 1 Day 1 until last response assessment (response assessments are every 8 weeks for the first year, every 12 weeks for years 2 and 3 and then every 6 months)

  • To evaluate disease control rate (DCR) for ficlatuzumab plus cetuximab vs placebo plus cetuximab in participants with R/M HNSCC

    Time frame: From Cycle 1 Day 1 until last response assessment (response assessments are every 8 weeks for the first year, every 12 weeks for years 2 and 3 and then every 6 months)

  • To evaluate duration of response (DOR) for ficlatuzumab plus cetuximab vs placebo plus cetuximab in participants with R/M HNSCC

    Time frame: From Cycle 1 Day 1 until last response assessment (response assessments are every 8 weeks for the first year, every 12 weeks for years 2 and 3 and then every 6 months)

  • To compare the safety and tolerability of ficlatuzumab plus cetuximab vs placebo plus cetuximab in participants with R/M HNSCC

    Time frame: From Screening until 30 days after last dose

  • To evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK) of ficlatuzumab

    Time frame: From Baseline (Cycle 1 Day 1 pre-dose) until End of Treatment (Approximately 44 months)

  • To assess the immunogenicity of ficlatuzumab via antidrug antibodies (ADAs)

    Time frame: From Baseline (Cycle 1 Day 1 pre-dose) until End of Treatment (Approximately 44 months)

  • To assess the immunogenicity of ficlatuzumab via neutralizing antibodies (nAB)

    Time frame: From Baseline (Cycle 1 Day 1 pre-dose) until End of Treatment (Approximately 44 months)

  • To evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of ficlatuzumab plus cetuximab vs placebo plus cetuximab in participants with R/M HNSCC

    Time frame: From Baseline (Cycle 1 Day 1 pre-dose) until End of Treatment (Approximately 44 months)

Eligibility criteria

Sex: AllAge: 18 Years and olderHealthy volunteers: No
Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female and ≥ 18 years of age * Histologically and/or cytologically confirmed primary diagnosis of R/M HNSCC * Participants with oropharyngeal cancer will be required to have proof of p16 negative status submitted on the basis of a pathology report * At least 1 measurable lesion by contrast CT or MRI scan according to RECIST v.1.1. Such lesions must not have been previously irradiated; if the measurable lesion(s) has been irradiated, clear progression must be documented * Participants must have failed prior therapy with an anti-PD-1/PD-L1 ICI and with platinum-based chemotherapy administered in combination or sequentially, in either the locally advanced or R/M setting. Failure of prior treatment may be due to progression of disease or intolerance to treatment * Patient's tumor must be considered inoperable and incurable * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1 with a life expectancy of at least 12 weeks * For women of childbearing potential (WOCBP), documentation of negative serum pregnancy test within 30 days of randomization * For WOCBP and male participants whose sexual partners are of childbearing potential, agreement to use an effective method of contraception during the study and for at least 5 months after the last dose of study treatment. Birth control methods which may be considered highly effective include methods that achieve a failure rate of less than 1% per year when used consistently and correctly. * Ability to give written informed consent and comply with protocol requirements * Patients with feeding tubes are eligible for the study. * Archived tissue sample must be submitted to the Sponsor-designated laboratory within 60 days of randomization for c-Met analysis (if a tissue sample is not available, a fresh biopsy may be required prior to enrollment) Exclusion Criteria: * Participants who have received \> 2 prior lines of anticancer therapy or prior treatment with cetuximab/alternative EGFR inhibitors for the treatment of R/M HNSCC * History of severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions or hypersensitivity to recombinant proteins or excipients in the investigational agent or cetuximab * Known or suspected untreated and uncontrolled brain metastases or leptomeningeal carcinomatosis Note: Participants with locally treated brain metastases are eligible provided 2 weeks have elapsed since local therapy. Participants are allowed to continue steroid taper during the start of study treatment. * Prior treatment with any other investigational drug or biologic agent or radiation therapy before a washout has been completed (must be completed prior to randomization): 1. 2 weeks (14 days) or 5 half-lives, whichever is shorter, for chemotherapeutic agents, small molecules, and checkpoint inhibitors 2. 3 weeks (21 days) or 5 half-lives, whichever is shorter, for antibody-drug conjugates 3. 4 weeks (28 days) for cell therapies 4. 2 weeks (14 days) for radiation therapy * Any unresolved and significant toxicity (National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events \[NCI-CTCAE\] version 5.0) Grade 2 or greater from previous anticancer therapy (including radiation therapy), other than alopecia * Significant cardiovascular disease, including: Cardiac failure New York Heart Association class III or IV; Myocardial infarction, severe or unstable angina within 6 months prior to randomization; History of serious ventricular arrhythmia (i.e., ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation) * Any other medical condition or psychiatric condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, might interfere with the participant's involvement in the study or interfere with the interpretation of study results * History of prior malignancy within 2 years prior to randomization (except for adequately treated non-melanoma skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the breast or cervix, superficial bladder cancer, or early-stage prostate cancer, without evidence of recurrence; participants may or may not be on maintenance therapy) * Participants who are positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) with indication of acute or chronic hepatitis (as defined in protocol) * Radiographic evidence (historical or at screening) of interstitial lung disease or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis * Female participants who are pregnant or breastfeeding A full list of inclusion and exclusion criteria can be found in the protocol.

Study locations (28)

Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center

Gilbert, Arizona, 85212

Recruiting

The University of Arizona Cancer Center

Tucson, Arizona, 85719

Recruiting

University of California Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California, 90024

Recruiting

Yale School of Medicine - Smilow Cancer Hospital

New Haven, Connecticut, 06511

Recruiting

The George Washington University

Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20052-0042

Recruiting

AdventHealth Medical Group Oncology & Hematology at Orlando

Orlando, Florida, 32804

Recruiting

Moffitt Cancer Center

Tampa, Florida, 33612

Recruiting

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia, 30308

Recruiting

University of Illinois Cancer Center

Chicago, Illinois, 60612

Recruiting

University of Kansas Cancer Center

Westwood, Kansas, 66205

Recruiting

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70809

Recruiting

MaineHealth Institute for Research

South Portland, Maine, 04106

Recruiting

University of Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland, 21201

Recruiting

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114

Recruiting

Dana Farber Cancer Institute

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215

Recruiting

Siteman Cancer Center - Washington University

St Louis, Missouri, 63110

Recruiting

Northwell Health Cancer Institute

Lake Success, New York, 10042

Recruiting

Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital

New York, New York, 10065

Recruiting

Montefiore Medical Center

The Bronx, New York, 10461

Withdrawn

University of Cincinnati - UC Health Barrett Cancer Center

Cincinnati, Ohio, 45219

Withdrawn

Ohio State University, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute

Columbus, Ohio, 43210

Recruiting

Fox Chase Cancer Center

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19111

Recruiting

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center - Hillman Cancer Center

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15232

Recruiting

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)

Charleston, South Carolina, 29425

Recruiting

MD Anderson Cancer Center

Houston, Texas, 77030

Recruiting

Oncology Consultants

Houston, Texas, 77030

Recruiting

VCU Massey Cancer Center

Richmond, Virginia, 23298

Recruiting

Medical College of Wisconsin - Froedtert Hospital Cancer Center

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53202

Terminated
A Study of Ficlatuzumab in Combination With Cetuximab in Participants With Recurrent or Metastatic (R/M) HPV Negative Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma | Cancerify