Ficerafusp alfa is directed against two targets, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)and Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGF-β).This study intends to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ficerafusp alfa in combinationwith pembrolizumab versus placebo with pembrolizumab in 1L PD-L1-positive, recurrent ormetastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC).
The mechanism of action of ficerafusp alfa involves dual targeting of two cancer targets,
EGFR and TGF-β, which are known to drive solid tumor growth and metastasis.
Phase 2 of the study will identify an optimal biologic dose (OBD) supported by the
safety, tolerability, PK, PD, and efficacy data of ficerafusp alfa. In this part,
eligible subjects will be randomized to one of three treatment arms at a 1:1:1 ratio:
- Arm A: ficerafusp alfa 1500 mg once weekly (QW) + pembrolizumab 200 mg every three
weeks (Q3W).
- Arm B: ficerafusp alfa 750 mg QW + pembrolizumab 200 mg Q3W.
- Arm C (control): placebo QW + pembrolizumab 200 mg Q3W.
The primary objective for the phase 3 portion is to compare the efficacy in subjects
treated with ficerafusp alfa at the selected OBD in combination with pembrolizumab versus
placebo with pembrolizumab. Eligible subjects will be randomized 2:1 in the treatment
versus control arm during the phase 3 portion.
Drug: Ficerafusp alfa
Investigational
Drug: Pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®)
Immunotherapy agent used in combination with investigational agent
Drug: Placebo
Placebo Control
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age ≥18 years on the day the Informed Consent Form is signed.
- Histologically or cytologically confirmed R or M HNSCC. Eligible primary tumor
locations are oral cavity, hypopharynx, larynx or oropharynx (with documented
HPV-negative disease if presenting with OPSCC). Note: primary tumor location of
paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx, any histology are excluded.
- No prior systemic therapy administered in the R or M setting; and completed systemic
therapy >6 months prior if given as part of multimodal treatment for locoregionally
advanced disease in the adjuvant or definitive setting.
- Archival tumor tissue or willing to undergo pretreatment biopsy at Screening if
archival tissue is insufficient or unavailable.
- PD-L1 CPS ≥1 (by PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx assay).
- Measurable disease based on RECIST 1.1.
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1.
- Adequate organ function, as defined in the protocol.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Disease suitable for local therapy administered with curative intent.
- Prior treatment with anti-TGFβ therapy.
- Prior therapy with an anti-EGFR antibody (exception: radio sensitizing agents and
multimodal treatment for locoregionally advanced disease).
- Prior history of Grade ≥2 intolerance or hypersensitivity reaction to anti-EGFR
therapy or other murine proteins.
- Prior therapy with an immune checkpoint inhibitor completed within 6 months prior to
study treatment initiation.
- Progressive disease <6 months from completion of curative intent systemic therapy
for locoregionally advanced HNSCC.
- Life expectancy less than 3 months.
- Known active central nervous system metastases, history of spinal cord compression
from tumor involvement, a history of carcinomatous meningitis, or leptomeningeal
disease are excluded.
- Current active major bleeding, or a recent major bleeding episode within 4 weeks
prior to enrollment.
- Subject participated in another clinical study or received treatment with another
investigational drug must wait at least 5 half-lives of the treatment received or 4
weeks (whichever is shorter) following prior therapy.
- Active autoimmune disease requiring systemic treatment in the past 2 years.
- Subjects with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with active disease who meet
the criteria for anti-HBV therapy and are not on a suppressive antiviral therapy
prior to initiation of study treatment.
- Subjects with a known history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) who have not completed
curative antiviral treatment or have an HCV viral load above the limit of
quantification at Screening.
- Known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- Receipt of any organ transplantation, including autologous and allogeneic stem cell
transplantation, with the exception of transplants that do not require
immunosuppression.
- Known to be diagnosed and/or treated for any other additional malignancy within 2
years prior to randomization with the exception of the following: curatively treated
basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, and curatively resected
in situ cervical cancer, and curatively resected in situ breast cancer, and low-risk
early stage prostate cancer.
- Any condition requiring systemic treatment with either corticosteroids (>10 mg daily
of prednisone or equivalent) or other immunosuppressive medication within 7 days
prior to the first dose of study treatment, except for topical, intranasal,
intrabronchial, or ocular steroids.
- Use of a live or live attenuated vaccine within 4 weeks prior to Screening.
Other Inclusion/Exclusion criteria may apply as defined in the protocol.
Site#0111
Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Site#0117
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Site#0104
Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Site#0126
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Site#0102
Houston, Texas, United States
Site#0134
Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
Site#0120
Vancouver, Washington, United States
Carrie Smith, Senior Director, Clinical Operations
1-617-468-4219
FORTIFI_inquiries@bicara.com
David Bohr, VP, Head of Clinical Operations
1-617-468-4219
FORTIFI_inquiries@bicara.com
Not Provided