Head and Neck Squamous Cell CarcinomaPhase 1/2NCT03650764
Ramucirumab + Pembrolizumab in Patients With Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
A Phase 1/2 study testing Ramucirumab and Pembrolizumab in people with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, run by Washington University School of Medicine at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The investigators hypothesize that inhibition of angiogenesis and PD-1 will be more effective than inhibition of PD-1 alone. The first step in pursuing proof of this hypothesis is to establish the safety and feasibility of combining ramucirumab with pembrolizumab, therefore the first part of this protocol is a… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- What is being tested?
- Ramucirumab and Pembrolizumab
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 43 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 29 May 2019to 11 May 2026
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Incurable HNSCC, defined as RM disease not amenable to cure by surgery and/or radiation therapy or patient with HNSCC declines or is ineligible for curative therapy
- In phase I, oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx, nasopharynx, paranasal sinus, or salivary gland
- In phase II, oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx
- Disease Evaluation:
- In phase I, evaluable or measurable disease.
- In phase II, measurable disease per RECIST 1.1
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- Prior Treatment:
- For phase I, any number of lines of prior therapy for RM-HNSCC.
- For phase II, no prior systemic therapy for RM-HNSCC.
- At least 18 years of age.
- Performance status 0-2 (ECOG).
- Adequate blood and organ function as defined:
- Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mcL
- Platelets ≥ 100,000/mcL
- Hemoglobin ≥ 9.0 g/dL
- Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 mg/dL
- AST(SGOT) ≤ 3 x institutional upper limit of normal (IULN) and ALT(SGPT) ≤ 3 x IULN. In the setting of liver metastases, AST < 5 x IULN and ALT < 5 x IULN.
- Creatinine ≤ 2 x ULN OR creatinine clearance ≥ 40 mL/min/1.73 m2
- Urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPC) ≤ 1; if UPC ≥ 1, then a 24-hour urine protein must be assessed; patients must have a 24-hour urine protein value < 1 g to be eligible
- INR ≤ 1.5 x ULN (≤ 3.0 x ULN if on anticoagulation) and PTT ≤ 1.5 x ULN (<3 x ULN if on anticoagulation) [Patients are allowed to be on anticoagulation]
- Women of childbearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control, abstinence) beginning 14 days prior to first dose of ramucirumab, through the dosing period, and for at least 28 days after.
- Signed IRB approved written informed consent document.
Who cannot join
- Phase II: prior PD-1 inhibitor for treatment of incurable HNSCC. For phase I, prior PD-1 inhibitor therapy in the incurable setting is permitted.
- Radiation, chemotherapy, targeted or investigational therapy within 14 days of treatment start.
- Major surgery, presence of a non-healing, non-malignant ulcer within 14 days of treatment start; History of significant tumor site bleeding within 14 days of study consent.
- History of other malignancy ≤ 1 year previous with the exception of completely resected skin carcinoma or other cancers with a low risk of recurrence.
- Cirrhosis at a level of Child-Pugh B (or worse), Cirrhosis of any degree with a history of hepatic encephalopathy or clinically meaningful ascites (from cirrhosis requiring diuretics or paracentesis).
- Receiving any other investigational agents.
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- Ongoing toxicity attributed to prior anti-cancer therapy that is > grade 1, except alopecia, anemia, fatigue or rash.
- Active central nervous system metastases: defined as currently receiving radiation therapy to metastatic CNS disease. Once radiation therapy is completed, patients with CNS disease are eligible if they meet all other criteria for enrollment.
- History of severe allergic reactions attributed to agents used in the study.
- Serious uncontrolled inter-current illness within the 3 months prior to study entry or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
- Receiving systemic steroid therapy (in dosing exceeding 20 mg daily of prednisone equivalent) or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of pembrolizumab.
- Has an active autoimmune disease (i.e. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjogren's syndrome) that has required IV or subcutaneous systemic treatment in the past 6 months (excluding rituxin). Replacement therapy (i.e. thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is not considered a form of system treatment.
- GI perforation or fistula within 6 months of first dose of protocol therapy
- History of GI issues such as inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease.
- Poorly controlled hypertension (defined as high blood pressure measurements [systolic blood pressures of ≥ 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressures of > 100 mmHg] documented during the two-week interval prior to enrollment). Initiation or adjustment of antihypertensive medications to control blood pressure is permitted prior to study entry.
- Arterial thromboembolic events (including but not limited to myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack, cerebrovascular accident, or unstable angina) within 3 months prior to first dose of treatment.
- GI Bleeding (grade 3 or 4) within 3 months prior to first dose.
- Pregnant and/or breastfeeding. Patient must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days of first dose of treatment.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Washington University School of Medicine
St Louis, Missouri, 63110
About this study
Official title: A Prospective Phase I and II Trial of Ramucirumab + Pembrolizumab in Patients With Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
The investigators hypothesize that inhibition of angiogenesis and PD-1 will be more effective than inhibition of PD-1 alone. The first step in pursuing proof of this hypothesis is to establish the safety and feasibility of combining ramucirumab with pembrolizumab, therefore the first part of this protocol is a de-escalation phase I trial of the combination of ramucirumab + pembrolizumab. Three participants will be treated at each dose level. De-escalation to the next dose level will occur if 2 or more participants experience dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) attributable to ramucirumab during cycle 1. The key objective of the phase I trial is to establish the safety and the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of ramucirumab for this novel combination regimen in patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (RM-HNSCC). The second step in pursuing proof of this hypothesis is to establish the efficacy of ramucirumab (using the RP2D) with pembrolizumab. The second part of this protocol is a single arm phase II trial combining ramucirumab + pembrolizumab. The primary objective of the phase II trial is to determine the tumor response rates (complete response (CR) and partial response (PR)) of the treatment combination given as first line therapy in patients with RM-HNSCC.
- Conditions
- Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Being tested
- Ramucirumab, Pembrolizumab
- Medical subject headings
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
RamucirumabDrug
Also called Cyramza
Ramucirumab is an investigational agent for this trial and will be supplied by Lilly Oncology, free of charge to the patient
PembrolizumabDrug
Also called Keytruda
Pembrolizumab is commercially available
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Phase I Dose Level 1 : Ramucirumab (10 mg/kg) + Pembrolizumab | Experimental | Participants enrolled in Phase I Dose Level 1 received 10 mg/kg ramucirumab administered intravenously (IV) on Day 1. Pembrolizumab was administered as per standard of care (SOC) IV at a dose of 200 mg on Day 1. Each cycle was 21 days. Receives: Drug: Ramucirumab; Drug: Pembrolizumab |
| Phase II: Ramucirumab (10 mg/kg) + Pembrolizumab | Experimental | Participants enrolled in the Phase II portion received 10 mg/kg intravenous ramucirumab which was the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) determined during the Phase I portion on Day 1. Pembrolizumab was administered as per standard of care (SOC) IV at a dose of 200 mg on Day 1. Each cycle was 21 days. Receives: Drug: Ramucirumab; Drug: Pembrolizumab |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) of Ramucirumab Combined With Fixed Dose Pembrolizumab (Phase I Participants Only)
-The RP2D of ramucirumab is defined as the highest dose level at which fewer than 2 participants of a cohort of three participants experience a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) during the first cycle.
Measured: Completion of first cycle of treatment (each cycle is 21 days) for all participants enrolled in Phase I portion of study (estimated to be 2.5 months)
Objective Response Rate of Ramucirumab and Pembrolizumab (Phase II Participants Only)
- Objective response rate = number of participants with complete response + partial response as measured per RECIST 1.1
- Complete response (CR)=Disappearance of all target lesions and non-target lesions along with normalizations of tumor marker level. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to <10 mm.
- Partial response (PR)=At least a 30% decrease in the sum of the diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters.
Measured: Through completion of treatment (median length of follow-up 162 days, full range 1-2240 days)
Secondary outcomes (10)
Adverse Event Profile of the Combination of Ramucirumab and Pembrolizumab (Phase I and II Participants) as Measured by the Frequency of Adverse Events
-The descriptions and grading scales found in the revised NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0 will be utilized for all toxicity reporting.
Measured: Through 28 days after completion of treatment (median length of follow-up 183 days, full range 14-2240 days)
Duration of Response (Phase II Participants Only)
-Duration of response: The duration of response is measured from the time measurement criteria are met for CR or PR (whichever is first recorded) until the first date that recurrent or progressive disease is objectively documented (taking as reference for progressive disease the smallest measurements recorded since the treatment started).
Measured: Through completion of follow-up (median length of follow-up of 445 days, full range 14-2240 days)
Kaplan-Meier Estimate of Median Progression-free Survival (PFS) (Phase II Participants Only)
- PFS is defined as the duration of time from start of treatment to time of progression or death, whichever occurs first.
- Progressive disease: At least a 20% increase in the sum of the diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study (this includes the baseline sum if that is the smallest on study). In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm. (Note: the appearance of one or more new lesions is also considered progressions).
Measured: Through completion of follow-up (median length of follow-up of 445 days, full range 14-2240 days)
Kaplan-Meier Estimate of Median Overall Survival (OS) (Phase II Participants Only)
OS is defined as the duration of time from start of treatment to time of death (or last follow-up alive).
Measured: Through completion of follow-up (median length of follow-up of 445 days, full range 14-2240 days)
Changes in Quality of Life as Measured by Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck (FACT-H&N) (Phase II Participants Only)
- Includes 39 questions: 7 in physical well-being, 6 in emotional well-being, 7 in functional well-being, and 12 in head \& neck
- Scored from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much)
- Higher scores indicated worse physical and emotional well-being and better social/family and functional well-being
- The FACT-H\&N Total Score (range 0-148) measures the sum of the physical, social, emotional, functional, and HNCS domains
- The maximum score of 148 reflects the best quality of life.
Measured: Baseline, start of cycle 2 (each cycle is 21 days), and start of cycle 5 (estimated to be 12 weeks)
Changes in Quality of Life as Measured by Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck Trial Outcome Index (FACT-H&N TOI) (Phase II Participants Only)
- Includes 39 questions: 7 in physical well-being, 6 in emotional well-being, 7 in functional well-being, and 12 in head \& neck
- Scored from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much)
- Higher scores indicated worse physical and emotional well-being and better social/family and functional well-being
- The FACT-H\&N TOI (range 0-96) measures the total score for the physical, functional, and HNCS domains but excludes the emotional and social domains
- The maximum score of 96 reflects the best quality of life.
Measured: Baseline, start of cycle 2 (each cycle is 21 days), and start of cycle 5 (estimated to be 12 weeks)
Changes in Quality of Life as Measured by Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) (Phase II Participants Only)
- Includes 27 questions: 7 in physical well-being, 6 in emotional well-being, 7 in functional well-being, 7 in social well-being.
- Scored from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much)
- Higher scores indicated worse physical and emotional well-being and better social/family and functional well-being
- The FACT-G Total Score (range 0-108) measures the sum of the physical, social, emotional, and functional domains but excludes the HNCS domain
- The maximum score of 108 reflects the best quality of life.
Measured: Baseline, start of cycle 2 (each cycle is 21 days), and start of cycle 5 (estimated to be 12 weeks)
Changes in Quality of Life as Measured by The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-30) - Global Health Status (Phase II Participants Only)
EORTC QLQ-C30: this has a total score, one general quality of life (QoL), and one "within the last week" subscale, as well as a general health item and a single overall QoL item. This study does not use current empirical guidelines for the EORTC-QLQ-30 global score with the understanding that both the magnitude and variance of scores vary considerably from patient to patient, from one time point to another and by such factors as disease condition, age, and comorbidity. The participants can choose from 1-4 with 1 being Not At All and 4 being Very Much. A high scale score represents a higher response level but these differ based on the type of sub-scale. Per the QLQ-C30 scoring manual, a high score for the global health status / QoL represents a high QoL, The total score range was 0-100.
Measured: Baseline, start of cycle 2 (each cycle is 21 days), and start of cycle 5 (estimated to be 12 weeks)
Changes in Quality of Life as Measured by The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-30) - Functional Scale (Phase II Participants Only)
EORTC QLQ-C30: this has a total score, one general quality of life (QoL), and one "within the last week" subscale, as well as a general health item and a single overall QoL item. This study does not use current empirical guidelines for the EORTC-QLQ-30 global score with the understanding that both the magnitude and variance of scores vary considerably from patient to patient, from one time point to another and by such factors as disease condition, age, and comorbidity. The participants can choose from 1-4 with 1 being Not At All and 4 being Very Much. A high scale score represents a higher response level but these differ based on the type of sub-scale. Per the QLQ-C30 scoring manual, high score for a functional scale represents a high / healthy level of functioning. The total score range was 0-100.
Measured: Baseline, start of cycle 2 (each cycle is 21 days), and start of cycle 5 (estimated to be 12 weeks)
Changes in Quality of Life as Measured by The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-30) - Symptom Scale (Phase II Participants Only)
EORTC QLQ-C30: this has a total score, one general quality of life (QoL), and one "within the last week" subscale, as well as a general health item and a single overall QoL item. This study does not use current empirical guidelines for the EORTC-QLQ-30 global score with the understanding that both the magnitude and variance of scores vary considerably from patient to patient, from one time point to another and by such factors as disease condition, age, and comorbidity. The participants can choose from 1-4 with 1 being Not At All and 4 being Very Much. A high scale score represents a higher response level but these differ based on the type of sub-scale. Per the QLQ-C30 scoring manual, a high score for a symptom scale / item represents a high level of symptomatology / problems. The total score range was 0-100.
Measured: Baseline, start of cycle 2 (each cycle is 21 days), and start of cycle 5 (estimated to be 12 weeks)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Aug 2018
- Study start29 May 2019
- Primary completion11 May 2026
- Study completion11 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Head and Neck Squamous Cell CarcinomaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Washington University School of MedicineThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Sequential
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 43 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Washington University School of Medicine
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Douglas R Adkins, M.D., Principal investigator, Washington University School of Medicine
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03650764
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 201809094
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Aug 2018
- Last updated
- 17 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes
Publications
Adkins D, Ley JC, Liu J, Oppelt P. Ramucirumab in combination with pembrolizumab for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a single-centre, phase 1/2 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2024 Jul;25(7):888-900. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(24)00204-3. Epub 2024 Jun 5.
PubMed 38851207
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Prospective Phase I and II Trial of Ramucirumab + Pembrolizumab in Patients With Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03650764
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 201809094
- Conditions
- Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 43 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Washington University School of MedicineUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Study start
- 29 May 2019 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 11 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 11 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 29 Aug 2018 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 17 Aug 2026
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The investigators hypothesize that inhibition of angiogenesis and PD-1 will be more effective than inhibition of PD-1 alone. The first step in pursuing proof of this hypothesis is to establish the safety and feasibility of combining ramucirumab with pembrolizumab, therefore the first part of this protocol is a de-escalation phase I trial of the combination of ramucirumab + pembrolizumab. Three participants will be treated at each dose level. De-escalation to the next dose level will occur if 2 or more participants experience dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) attributable to ramucirumab during cycle 1. The key objective of the phase I trial is to establish the safety and the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of ramucirumab for this novel combination regimen in patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (RM-HNSCC). The second step in pursuing proof of this hypothesis is to establish the efficacy of ramucirumab (using the RP2D) with pembrolizumab. The second part of this protocol is a single arm phase II trial combining ramucirumab + pembrolizumab. The primary objective of the phase II trial is to determine the tumor response rates (complete response (CR) and partial response (PR)) of the treatment combination given as first line therapy in patients with RM-HNSCC.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Sequential
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Phase I Dose Level 1 : Ramucirumab (10 mg/kg) + Pembrolizumab | Experimental | Drug: Ramucirumab, Drug: PembrolizumabParticipants enrolled in Phase I Dose Level 1 received 10 mg/kg ramucirumab administered intravenously (IV) on Day 1. Pembrolizumab was administered as per standard of care (SOC) IV at a dose of 200 mg on Day 1. Each cycle was 21 days. |
| Phase II: Ramucirumab (10 mg/kg) + Pembrolizumab | Experimental | Drug: Ramucirumab, Drug: PembrolizumabParticipants enrolled in the Phase II portion received 10 mg/kg intravenous ramucirumab which was the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) determined during the Phase I portion on Day 1. Pembrolizumab was administered as per standard of care (SOC) IV at a dose of 200 mg on Day 1. Each cycle was 21 days. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (22 listed)
- Incurable HNSCC, defined as RM disease not amenable to cure by surgery and/or radiation therapy or patient with HNSCC declines or is ineligible for curative therapy
- Disease Evaluation:
- Prior Treatment:
- At least 18 years of age.
- Performance status 0-2 (ECOG).
Key exclusion criteria (18 listed)
- Phase II: prior PD-1 inhibitor for treatment of incurable HNSCC. For phase I, prior PD-1 inhibitor therapy in the incurable setting is permitted.
- Radiation, chemotherapy, targeted or investigational therapy within 14 days of treatment start.
- Major surgery, presence of a non-healing, non-malignant ulcer within 14 days of treatment start; History of significant tumor site bleeding within 14 days of study consent.
- History of other malignancy ≤ 1 year previous with the exception of completely resected skin carcinoma or other cancers with a low risk of recurrence.
- Cirrhosis at a level of Child-Pugh B (or worse), Cirrhosis of any degree with a history of hepatic encephalopathy or clinically meaningful ascites (from cirrhosis requiring diuretics or paracentesis).
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| RamucirumabAlso: CyramzaRamucirumab is an investigational agent for this trial and will be supplied by Lilly Oncology, free of charge to the patient | Drug | Phase I Dose Level 1 : Ramucirumab (10 mg/kg) + Pembrolizumab, Phase II: Ramucirumab (10 mg/kg) + Pembrolizumab |
| PembrolizumabAlso: KeytrudaPembrolizumab is commercially available | Drug | Phase I Dose Level 1 : Ramucirumab (10 mg/kg) + Pembrolizumab, Phase II: Ramucirumab (10 mg/kg) + Pembrolizumab |
Primary outcome
Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) of Ramucirumab Combined With Fixed Dose Pembrolizumab (Phase I Participants Only)
Time frame: Completion of first cycle of treatment (each cycle is 21 days) for all participants enrolled in Phase I portion of study (estimated to be 2.5 months)
-The RP2D of ramucirumab is defined as the highest dose level at which fewer than 2 participants of a cohort of three participants experience a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) during the first cycle.
Objective Response Rate of Ramucirumab and Pembrolizumab (Phase II Participants Only)
Time frame: Through completion of treatment (median length of follow-up 162 days, full range 1-2240 days)
* Objective response rate = number of participants with complete response + partial response as measured per RECIST 1.1 * Complete response (CR)=Disappearance of all target lesions and non-target lesions along with normalizations of tumor marker level. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to <10 mm. * Partial response (PR)=At least a 30% decrease in the sum of the diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters.
10 secondary outcomes
Adverse Event Profile of the Combination of Ramucirumab and Pembrolizumab (Phase I and II Participants) as Measured by the Frequency of Adverse Events
Time frame: Through 28 days after completion of treatment (median length of follow-up 183 days, full range 14-2240 days)
Duration of Response (Phase II Participants Only)
Time frame: Through completion of follow-up (median length of follow-up of 445 days, full range 14-2240 days)
Kaplan-Meier Estimate of Median Progression-free Survival (PFS) (Phase II Participants Only)
Time frame: Through completion of follow-up (median length of follow-up of 445 days, full range 14-2240 days)
Kaplan-Meier Estimate of Median Overall Survival (OS) (Phase II Participants Only)
Time frame: Through completion of follow-up (median length of follow-up of 445 days, full range 14-2240 days)
Changes in Quality of Life as Measured by Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck (FACT-H&N) (Phase II Participants Only)
Time frame: Baseline, start of cycle 2 (each cycle is 21 days), and start of cycle 5 (estimated to be 12 weeks)
Changes in Quality of Life as Measured by Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck Trial Outcome Index (FACT-H&N TOI) (Phase II Participants Only)
Time frame: Baseline, start of cycle 2 (each cycle is 21 days), and start of cycle 5 (estimated to be 12 weeks)
Changes in Quality of Life as Measured by Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) (Phase II Participants Only)
Time frame: Baseline, start of cycle 2 (each cycle is 21 days), and start of cycle 5 (estimated to be 12 weeks)
Changes in Quality of Life as Measured by The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-30) - Global Health Status (Phase II Participants Only)
Time frame: Baseline, start of cycle 2 (each cycle is 21 days), and start of cycle 5 (estimated to be 12 weeks)
Changes in Quality of Life as Measured by The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-30) - Functional Scale (Phase II Participants Only)
Time frame: Baseline, start of cycle 2 (each cycle is 21 days), and start of cycle 5 (estimated to be 12 weeks)
Changes in Quality of Life as Measured by The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-30) - Symptom Scale (Phase II Participants Only)
Time frame: Baseline, start of cycle 2 (each cycle is 21 days), and start of cycle 5 (estimated to be 12 weeks)
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 17 Aug 2026.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 38851207Adkins D, Ley JC, Liu J, Oppelt P. Ramucirumab in combination with pembrolizumab for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a single-centre, phase 1/2 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2024 Jul;25(7):888-900. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(24)00204-3. Epub 2024 Jun 5.
- Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of MedicineLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Douglas R Adkins, M.D. principal investigator
Washington University School of Medicine
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 1/2 study testing Ramucirumab and Pembrolizumab in people with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, run by Washington University School of Medicine at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 22 inclusion and 18 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this combined phase mean?
Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.
Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 17 Aug 2026). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) of Ramucirumab Combined With Fixed Dose Pembrolizumab (Phase I Participants Only) (time frame: Completion of first cycle of treatment (each cycle is 21 days) for all participants enrolled in Phase I portion of study (estimated to be 2.5 months)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03650764, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 Aug 2026.