Toripalimab in Combination with Cisplatin and Docetaxel for the Treatment of Locally Advanced Stage III or Non-metastatic Stage IV Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This phase II trial studies how well toripalimab works in combination with cisplatin and docetaxel in treating patients with stage III head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced) or stage IV HNSCC that has not spread to other parts of the body (non-metastatic). Toripalimab is a lab-made antibody that works by allowing the immune system to attack tumor cells more effectively. Cisplatin is a chemotherapy agent that works by binding to tumor cells and initiating cell death. Docetaxel is a chemotherapy agent made from a compound found in the European yew tree. Docetaxel works by stabilizing tiny structures within tumor cells, preventing cell growth and, ultimately, leading to cell death. Typically, the standard of care for induction therapy would be cisplatin, docetaxel, and 5-fluorouracil. In this trial, patients receive two of the standard of care drugs, cisplatin and docetaxel, but the standard 5-fluorouracil is replaced with the investigational drug, toripalimab. Adding toripalimab to cisplatin and docetaxel may work better that the standard of care combination in treating locally advanced stage III or non-metastatic stage IV HNSCC.