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NCT07509099RecruitingPhase 3

Cetuximab Combined With Pembrolizumab or Finotonlimab and Chemotherapy in R/M HNSCC

Cetuximab Combined With Pembrolizumab or Finotonlimab and Chemotherapy in R/M HNSCC: an Open-label, Randomized, Prospective, Multicenter Phase III Trial

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 2 Oct 2026

Brief summary (registry, in English)

This is an open-label, randomized, prospective, multicenter phase III trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination therapy of cetuximab with either pembrolizumab or finotonlimab, alongside chemotherapy, as a first-line treatment, compared with pembrolizumab or finotonlimab with chemotherapy for R/M HNSCC.

Status (registry)
Recruiting
Phase (registry)
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
316 (estimated)
First submitted
24 Mar 2026
Start date
15 Sept 2026
Primary completion date
30 Sept 2031
Lead sponsor
Ji Dongmei
NCT number
NCT07509099

What you commit to

  • Study type: Interventional · Phase 3
  • Planned participants: 316
  • From 15 Sept 2026 to the primary completion date, 30 Sept 2031
  • 1 site in 1 country
  • Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them

Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.

Who cannot take part

Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.

Prior treatment

  • a. Previous treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) (Prior receipt of ICIs is allowed if they were given as part of curative-intent neoadjuvant therapy, with more than 6 months between the last dose and disease recurrence, or as adjuvant ICI monotherapy that achieved disease control for over 6 months); b. Previous treatment with cetuximab (Prior receipt of cetuximab is allowed if they were given as part of curative-intent therapy, with more than 6 months between the last dose and disease recurrence); c.Previous treatment with chemotherapy (Prior receipt of chemotherapy is allowed if they were given as part of curative-intent neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy, with more than 6 months between the last dose and disease recurrence) The end date of the therapies mentioned above is the date of the last administration.
  • Undergoing or expected to undergo secondary or higher surgeries within three weeks prior to the first dose;
  • Other serious uncontrolled concomitant diseases affecting protocol compliance or result interfere, including uncontrolled diabetes or pulmonary diseases (interstitial pneumonia, obstructive lung disease, and symptomatic bronchospasm history);
  • Known active central nervous system metastasis and/or leptomeningeal disease; Note: Subjects with previously treated brain metastases may participate provided they are stable (without evidence of progression by imaging (using the identical imaging modality for each assessment, either MRI or CT scan) for at least 4 weeks prior to the first dose of trial treatment and any neurologic symptoms have returned to baseline), have no evidence of new or enlarging brain metastases, and are not using steroids for at least 7 days prior to trial treatment. This exception does not include carcinomatous meningitis which is excluded regardless of clinical stability.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or women planning to conceive during treatment and within 6 months after the last dose of study medication. Fertile women and sexually active men unwilling to use highly effective contraception during the study and for 6 months afterward.

Other illness

  • Known allergic reaction against any of the components of the trial treatment;
  • Autoimmune diseases requiring treatment or a history of syndromes requiring systemic use of corticosteroids or immunosuppressants, such as pituitary inflammation, pneumonia, colitis, hepatitis, nephritis, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, etc.;
  • Hepatitis B (HBV) (HBsAg positive and HBV-DNA≥ 103 IU/ml), hepatitis C (HCV) infection (HCV antibody positive and detectable HCV-RNA); and other acquired or congenital immunodeficiency diseases, including but not limited to HIV infection;
  • Severe active infections;
  • Severe neurological or psychiatric history, including dementia or epilepsy;
  • Drug abuse, medical, psychological, or social conditions that may interfere with the subject's participation in the trial or the assessment of results;

Lab values

  • Clinically significant heart disease, including severe heart failure: NYHA heart failure class III\~IV, ischemic heart disease (e.g., myocardial infarction or angina), acute myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure or QTc interval greater than 500 ms within the last 6 months;

Other

  • Nasopharyngeal carcinoma;
  • Other reasons deemed unsuitable for enrollment by the investigator.

Who the study is looking for

  • Age 18-70 years;
  • ECOG Performance Status 0 or 1;
  • Histologically confirmed diagnosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma;
  • Subjects with distant metastasis or local recurrence not suitable for curative treatment; local recurrence patients must have previously received radiotherapy (postoperative or radical);
  • No prior systemic chemotherapy; subjects who have ceased chemotherapy for locally advanced disease as part of multidisciplinary treatment for more than 6 months may be enrolled;
  • At least one measurable lesion available for evaluation by enhanced CT or MRI according to RECIST 1.1;
  • Adequate organ function:
  • Estimated survival greater than 3 months;
  • Voluntary signing of informed consent form, with good compliance expected, and ability to follow up as required by the protocol.

Age in the registry: 18 years to 70 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers

Full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov

Sites (1)

Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.

SiteCityCountrySite status
Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status
ShanghaiChinaRecruiting

This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.