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Study of INCB081776 with Radiation Therapy and Other Treatments for Head and Neck Cancer

Trial Status: active

This phase I trial studies the side effects of INCB081776 when given together with palliative radiation therapy (RT) and pembrolizumab and tests how well it works in treating patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that has come back after a period of improvement (recurrent) or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). INCB081776 blocks two proteins called Axl and Mer that may allow tumor cells to develop resistance to chemotherapy drugs. Blocking these proteins with INCB081776 may activate the immune system to fight the cancer. Palliative RT is radiation treatment done with the intent to relieve symptoms and reduce the suffering caused by the cancer, and not with the intent of curing the cancer. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving INCB081776 with palliative RT and pembrolizumab may be safe, tolerable, and/or effective in treating patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.