This phase I trial investigates the side effects and best dose of CIML-NK cells when given together with nogapendekin alfa alone or in combination with ipilimumab and with or without cetuximab, in treating patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer that has come back (recurrent) or spread to other places in the body (metastatic). CIML NK cells come from a haploidentical donor (cells from another person with similar immune proteins). They have been bathed in special proteins to help identify and treat certain cancers. Nogapendekin alfa works by using the body’s immune system and stimulating it to increase the number of immune cells that kill tumor cells. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as ipilimumab and cetuximab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. The purpose of this trial is to obtain information on the safety and effectiveness of this combination of study drugs to treat head and neck cancer.
Study sponsor and potential other locations can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov for NCT04290546.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:
I. To determine the safety (maximum tolerated dose, MTD) lymphodepletion and cytokine-induced memory-like (CIML) natural killer (NK) cell infusion with IL-15 superagonist (nogapendekin alfa [N-803]) in patients with advanced head and neck cancer or salivary cancers with or without ipilimumab lead-in for T regulatory cell depletion, and with or without Cetuximab infusions.
SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:
I. To determine the objective response rate (ORR) at day 29, 84 (12 weeks) following CIML NK cell infusion.
II. To evaluate disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) at 1-year following CIML NK cell infusion.
III. To evaluate the number, phenotype, and function of CIML NK cells following adoptive transfer correlated with clinical end points.
OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study of CIML NK cells. Patients are assigned to 1 of 2 cohorts.
COHORT I: Patients receive fludarabine phosphate intravenously (IV) over 1 hour on days -6 to -2 and cyclophosphamide IV over 2 hours on days -5 and -4. Patients then receive CIML NK cells via infusion over 15-60 minutes on day 0. Beginning 12-48 hours after CIML NK cell infusion, patients receive nogapendekin alfa subcutaneously (SC) (day 1 or 2). Treatment with nogapendekin alfa repeats every 21 days for up to 4 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
COHORT II: Patients receive ipilimumab IV over 90 minutes on day -7. Patients also receive fludarabine phosphate, cyclophosphamide, CIML NK cells, and N-083 as in Cohort 1.
COHORT III: Patients receive fludarabine phosphate, cyclophosphamide, and CIML NK cells as in Cohort II. Patients receive nogapendekin alfa subcutaneously (SC) (day 1 or 2). Treatment with nogapendekin alfa repeats every 21 days for up to 6 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also receive cetuximab IV starting on day 15, every 14 days for 8 cycles.
After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 100 days and up to 1 year from CIML NK cell infusion (day 0), and then every 4 months for up to 15 years.
Lead OrganizationDana-Farber Harvard Cancer Center
Principal InvestigatorGlenn J. Hanna