AzTrials
AzTrials

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and NeckPhase 3INTERLINK-1NCT04590963

Assessment of Efficacy and Safety of Monalizumab Plus Cetuximab Compared to Placebo Plus Cetuximab in Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer

A Phase 3 study testing Monalizumab and Cetuximab in people with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck, run by AstraZeneca at 127 sites in 23 countries.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record

Search all trials

Trial summary

This is a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, global Phase 3 study to assess the efficacy and safety of monalizumab and cetuximab, compared to placebo and cetuximab, in Participants with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 130 years
What is being tested?
Monalizumab and Cetuximab
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
370 participants
Where
127 sitesin 23 countries
Study dates
2 Oct 2020to 24 Sep 2026
Phase
Phase 3

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 to 130 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Are aged 18 years and over
  • Recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the SCCHN, oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx which has progressed on or after previous systemic cancer therapy and is not amenable to curative therapy
  • Received prior treatment using a programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) inhibitor
  • Prior platinum failure
  • Received 1 or 2 prior systemic regimens for recurrent or metastatic SCCHN
  • Has measurable disease per RECIST 1.1
  • A fresh or recently acquired tumor tissue for the purpose of biomarker testing
  • World Health Organization (WHO)/ Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status of 0 or 1

Who cannot join

  • Head and neck cancer of any primary anatomic location in the head and neck not specified in the inclusion criteria, including participants with SCCHN of unknown primary or non-squamous histologies
  • Had prior cetuximab therapy (unless it was administered in curative locally advanced setting with radiotherapy and no disease progression for at least 6 months following the last cetuximab dose)
  • Active or prior documented autoimmune or inflammatory disorders (including inflammatory bowel disease [eg, colitis or Crohn's disease], diverticulitis
  • Any concurrent anticancer treatment, except for hormonal therapy for non-cancer-related conditions (eg, hormone replacement therapy)

Trial locations and contacts

127 sites in 23 countries.

127 sites in 23 countries

United States17 sites
  • Research Site

    Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109

  • Research Site

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02215

  • Research Site

    Charlotte, North Carolina, 28204

  • Research Site

    Chicago, Illinois, 60612

  • Research Site

    Columbus, Ohio, 43210

  • Research Site

    Dallas, Texas, 75246

  • Research Site

    Houston, Texas, 77090

  • Research Site

    Las Vegas, Nevada, 89169

  • Research Site

    New York, New York, 10029

  • Research Site

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104

  • Research Site

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19111

  • Research Site

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15232

  • Research Site

    Rochester, Minnesota, 55905

  • Research Site

    St Louis, Missouri, 63110

  • Research Site

    Tucson, Arizona, 85719

  • Research Site

    Westwood, Kansas, 66205

  • Research Site

    Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27103

Other trials in United States

Japan12 sites
  • Research Site

    Chūōku, 104-0045

  • Research Site

    Fukuoka, 811-1395

  • Research Site

    Hiroshima, 734-8551

  • Research Site

    Isehara-shi, 259-1193

  • Research Site

    Kashiwa, 277-8577

  • Research Site

    Kobe, 650-0017

  • Research Site

    Kōtoku, 135-8550

  • Research Site

    Okayama, 700-8558

  • Research Site

    Sayama, 589-8511

  • Research Site

    Sunto-gun, 411-8777

  • Research Site

    Yokohama, 236-0004

  • Research Site

    Yokohama, 241-8515

Other trials in Japan

France8 sites
  • Research Site

    Avignon, 84918

  • Research Site

    Bordeaux, 33000

  • Research Site

    Clermont-Ferrand, 63011

  • Research Site

    Dijon, 21079

  • Research Site

    Lyon, 69373

  • Research Site

    Marseille, 13005

  • Research Site

    Montpellier, 34298

  • Research Site

    Strasbourg, 67033

Other trials in France

Italy8 sites
  • Research Site

    Brescia, 25123

  • Research Site

    Candiolo, 10060

  • Research Site

    Florence, 50134

  • Research Site

    Milan, 20132

  • Research Site

    Milan, 20133

  • Research Site

    Modena, 41124

  • Research Site

    Naples, 80131

  • Research Site

    Padova, 35128

Other trials in Italy

Brazil7 sites
  • Research Site

    Belo Horizonte, 30110-022

  • Research Site

    Porto Alegre, 90560-030

  • Research Site

    Rio de Janeiro, 22271-110

  • Research Site

    São Paulo, 01321-001

  • Research Site

    São Paulo, 01327-001

  • Research Site

    São Paulo, 01509-900

  • Research Site

    São Paulo, 04543-000

Other trials in Brazil

Germany7 sites
  • Research Site

    Berlin, 12203

  • Research Site

    Essen, 45122

  • Research Site

    Freiburg im Breisgau, 79106

  • Research Site

    Hanover, 30625

  • Research Site

    Leipzig, 04103

  • Research Site

    Ulm, 89081

  • Research Site

    Würzburg, 97070

Other trials in Germany

Russia7 sites
  • Research Site

    Moscow, 115478

  • Research Site

    Moscow Region, 143081

  • Research Site

    Obninsk, 249036

  • Research Site

    Saint Petersburg, 191014

  • Research Site

    Saint Petersburg, 195271

  • Research Site

    Saint Petersburg, 197022

  • Research Site

    Saint Petersburg, 197758

Other trials in Russia

South Korea7 sites
  • Research Site

    Busan, 49267

  • Research Site

    Cheongju-si, 28644

  • Research Site

    Goyang-si, 10408

  • Research Site

    Seongnam-si, 13620

  • Research Site

    Seoul, 06351

  • Research Site

    Seoul, 110-744

  • Research Site

    Seoul, 138-736

Other trials in South Korea

Taiwan6 sites
  • Research Site

    Changhua, 500

  • Research Site

    Taichung, 40447

  • Research Site

    Taichung, 40705

  • Research Site

    Tainan, 704

  • Research Site

    Taipei, 112

  • Research Site

    Taipei, 235

Other trials in Taiwan

Canada5 sites
  • Research Site

    Hamilton, Ontario, L8V 5C2

  • Research Site

    Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1E2

  • Research Site

    Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5

  • Research Site

    Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9

  • Research Site

    Victoria, British Columbia, V8R 6V5

Other trials in Canada

Spain5 sites
  • Research Site

    Barcelona, 08035

  • Research Site

    Madrid, 28007

  • Research Site

    Madrid, 28040

  • Research Site

    Madrid, 28041

  • Research Site

    Valencia, 46014

Other trials in Spain

Australia4 sites
  • Research Site

    Camperdown, 2050

  • Research Site

    Elizabeth Vale, 5112

  • Research Site

    Heidelberg, 3084

  • Research Site

    Melbourne, 3000

Other trials in Australia

Belgium4 sites
  • Research Site

    Brussels, 1200

  • Research Site

    Leuven, 3000

  • Research Site

    Namur, 5000

  • Research Site

    Roeselare, 8800

Other trials in Belgium

Portugal4 sites
  • Research Site

    Coimbra, 3000-075

  • Research Site

    Porto, 4099-001

  • Research Site

    Porto, 4200-319

  • Research Site

    Vila Nova de Gaia, 4434-502

Other trials in Portugal

United Kingdom4 sites
  • Research Site

    London, SW3 6JJ

  • Research Site

    Manchester, M20 4BX

  • Research Site

    Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN

  • Research Site

    Sutton, SM2 5PT

Other trials in United Kingdom

Argentina3 sites
  • Research Site

    CABA, 1426

  • Research Site

    CABA, C1012AAR

  • Research Site

    CABA, C1426ANZ

Other trials in Argentina

Bulgaria3 sites
  • Research Site

    Panagyurishte, 4500

  • Research Site

    Plovdiv, 4004

  • Research Site

    Sofia, 1527

Other trials in Bulgaria

Greece3 sites
  • Research Site

    Athens, 11528

  • Research Site

    Chaïdári, 124 62

  • Research Site

    Thessaloniki, 54645

Other trials in Greece

Netherlands3 sites
  • Research Site

    Amsterdam, 1066 CX

  • Research Site

    Maastricht, 6229 HX

  • Research Site

    Nijmegen, 6525 GA

Other trials in Netherlands

Philippines3 sites
  • Research Site

    Manila, 1000

  • Research Site

    Pasig, 1605

  • Research Site

    Quezon City, 1112

Other trials in Philippines

Poland3 sites
  • Research Site

    Bialystok, 15-027

  • Research Site

    Bydgoszcz, 85-796

  • Research Site

    Poznan, 61-866

Other trials in Poland

Switzerland3 sites
  • Research Site

    Basel, 4031

  • Research Site

    Bern, 3010

  • Research Site

    Lausanne, CH-1011

Other trials in Switzerland

Austria1 site
  • Research Site

    Linz, 4010

Other trials in Austria

About this study

Official title: A Phase 3 Randomized, Double-blind, Multicenter, Global Study of Monalizumab or Placebo in Combination With Cetuximab in Participants With Recurrent or Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Previously Treated With an Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor

This is a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, global Phase 3 study to assess the efficacy and safety of monalizumab and cetuximab, compared to placebo and cetuximab, in Participants with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer

Read the detailed description

Participants with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) who had prior immune checkpoint inhibitor and platinum-based chemotherapy treatment will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to monalizumab and cetuximab or placebo and cetuximab. Efficacy and safety assessments will be performed periodically from the time of enrollment and throughout the study. Participants in all arms will continue therapy until progression, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal of consent, or another discontinuation criterion is met. All Participants will be followed for survival after progression is confirmed.

Being tested
Monalizumab, Cetuximab, Placebo
Keywords
head and neck cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck, monalizumab, cetuximab, Erbitux, oral cavity, larynx, pharynx, natural killer, oropharynx, hypopharynx
Medical subject headings
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck, Head and Neck Neoplasms, Laryngeal Diseases

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • MonalizumabDrug

    Also called IPH2201

    Participants will receive IV infusion of monalizumab as stated in arm description.

  • CetuximabDrug

    Also called Erbitux

    Participants will receive IV infusion of cetuximab as stated in arm description.

  • PlaceboOther

    Participants will receive IV infusion of placebo as stated in arm description.

Study groups in NCT04590963
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Monalizumab 750 mg Q2W + Cetuximab 400 mg/m^2ExperimentalParticipants will receive intravenous (IV) monalizumab 750 mg every two weeks (Q2W) and IV cetuximab 400 mg/m^2 initial dose followed by 250 mg/m^2 every one week (Q1W) until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal of consent, or another discontinuation criterion was met.
Receives: Drug: Monalizumab; Drug: Cetuximab
Placebo Q2W + Cetuximab 400 mg/m^2Active comparatorParticipants will receieve IV placebo matched to monalizumab Q2W and IV cetuximab 400 mg/m^2 initial dose followed by 250 mg/m^2 Q1W until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal of consent, or another discontinuation criterion was met.
Receives: Drug: Cetuximab; Other: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Overall Survival (OS) in Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-Unrelated Analysis Set

    The OS is defined as time from the date of randomization until death due to any cause regardless of whether the participant withdraws from randomized therapy or receives another anti-cancer therapy (i.e. date of death or censoring - date of randomization + 1). The OS was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier technique. Statistical analysis was performed using P-value from a stratified log-rank test and hazard ratio (HR) and confidence intervals (CIs) from a stratified Cox proportional hazards model. Analyses were stratified on World Health Organization/ Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (WHO/ECOG PS) (0 or 1) and number of prior lines of therapy in recurrent or metastatic (R/M) setting (1 or 2).

    Measured: Baseline (-28 to -1) through 17.5 months (maximum observed duration)

Secondary outcomes (11)
  1. Overall Survival in Full Analysis Set (FAS)

    The OS is defined as time from the date of randomization until death due to any cause regardless of whether the participant withdraws from randomized therapy or receives another anti-cancer therapy (i.e. date of death or censoring - date of randomization + 1). The OS was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier technique. Statistical analysis was performed using P-value from a stratified log-rank test and HR and CIs from a stratified Cox proportional hazards model. Analyses were stratified on HPV status (OPC HPV positive or HPV-unrelated), WHO/ECOG PS (0 or 1) and number of prior lines of therapy in R/M setting (1 or 2).

    Measured: Baseline (-28 to -1) through 17.5 months (maximum observed duration)

  2. Progression-Free Survival (PFS) Per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 by Investigator Assessment in HPV-unrelated Analysis Set

    PFS per RECIST 1.1 as assessed by the investigator is defined as time from randomization until date of RECIST 1.1-defined radiological progressive disease (PD) or death regardless of whether participant withdraws from therapy or received subsequent anticancer therapy prior to progression. PD: at least 20% increase in sum of diameters of target lesions (TLs), taking as reference the smallest sum on study (nadir) and sum must demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm from nadir or unequivocal progression of existing non-TLs (NTLs) or appearance of new lesions. PFS was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier technique. Statistical analysis was performed using P-value from stratified log-rank test and HR and CIs from a stratified Cox proportional hazards model. Analyses were stratified on WHO/ECOG PS (0/1) and no. of prior lines of therapy in R/M setting.

    Measured: Baseline (-28 to -1) through 17.5 months (maximum observed duration)

  3. Progression-Free Survival Per RECIST 1.1 by Investigator Assessment in FAS

    PFS per RECIST 1.1 as assessed by the investigator is defined as time from randomization until date of RECIST 1.1-defined radiological progressive disease (PD) or death regardless of whether participant withdraws from therapy or received subsequent anticancer therapy prior to progression. PD: at least 20% increase in sum of diameters of target lesions (TLs), taking as reference the smallest sum on study (nadir) and sum must demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm from nadir or unequivocal progression of existing NTLs or appearance of new lesions. PFS was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier technique. Statistical analysis was performed using P-value from a stratified log-rank test and HR and CIs from a stratified Cox proportional hazards model. Analyses were stratified on HPV status, WHO/ECOG PS (0/1) and no. of prior lines of therapy in R/M setting.

    Measured: Baseline (-28 to -1) through 17.5 months (maximum observed duration)

  4. Percentage of Participants With Objective Response (OR) Per RECIST 1.1 in HPV-unrelated Analysis Set

    The OR is defined as the percentage of participants with at least one confirmed investigator-assessed response of complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) as assessed by RECIST 1.1 guidelines. The CR is defined as disappearance of all TLs and NTLs, any pathological lymph nodes (target and non-target) must have reduction in short axis < 10 mm, and no new lesions. The PR is defined as at least a 30% decrease in the sum of the diameters (SoD) of TLs (compared to baseline) and no new lesions. Confirmation of CR and PR is required by a repeat, consecutive assessment no less than 4 weeks from the date of first documentation. Percentage of participants with OR is reported. Participants who had measurable disease at baseline per the site investigator were analyzed for this outcome.

    Measured: Baseline (-28 to -1) through 17.5 months (maximum observed duration)

  5. Percentage of Participants With OR Per RECIST 1.1 in FAS

    The OR is defined as the percentage of participants with at least one confirmed investigator-assessed response of CR or PR as assessed by RECIST 1.1 guidelines. The CR is defined as disappearance of all TLs and NTLs, any pathological lymph nodes (target and non-target) must have reduction in short axis < 10 mm, and no new lesions. The PR is defined as at least a 30% decrease in the SoD of TLs (compared to baseline) and no new lesions. Confirmation of CR and PR is required by a repeat, consecutive assessment no less than 4 weeks from the date of first documentation. Percentage of participants with OR is reported. Participants who had measurable disease at baseline per the site investigator were analyzed for this outcome.

    Measured: Baseline (-28 to -1) through 17.5 months (maximum observed duration)

  6. Duration of Response (DoR) Per RECIST 1.1 in HPV-unrelated Analysis Set

    The DoR is defined as the time from the date of first documented confirmed response until date of documented progression or death in the absence of disease progression (i.e. date of PFS event or censoring - date of first response + 1). The CR is defined as disappearance of all target and non-target lesions, no new lesions, and normalization of tumor marker level. The PR is defined as at least a 30% decrease in the SoDs of TLs (compared to baseline) and no new lesions. Confirmation of CR and PR is required by a repeat, consecutive assessment no less than 4 weeks from the date of first documentation. The PD is defined as at least a 20% increase in the SoDs of TLs, taking as reference the smallest previous SoDs (nadir) and the sum must demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm from nadir or unequivocal progression of existing NTLs or appearance of new lesions. The DoR was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier technique.

    Measured: Baseline (-28 to -1) through 17.5 months (maximum observed duration)

  7. Duration of Response Per RECIST 1.1 in FAS

    The DoR is defined as the time from the date of first documented confirmed response until date of documented progression or death in the absence of disease progression (i.e. date of PFS event or censoring - date of first response + 1). The CR is defined as disappearance of all target and non-target lesions, no new lesions, and normalization of tumor marker level. The PR is defined as at least a 30% decrease in the SoDs of TLs (compared to baseline) and no new lesions. Confirmation of CR and PR is required by a repeat, consecutive assessment no less than 4 weeks from the date of first documentation. The PD is defined as at least a 20% increase in the SoDs of TLs, taking as reference the smallest previous SoDs (nadir) and the sum must demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm from nadir or unequivocal progression of existing NTLs or appearance of new lesions. The DoR was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier technique.

    Measured: Baseline (-28 to -1) through 17.5 months (maximum observed duration)

  8. Number of Participants With Treatment-emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs)

    An adverse event (AE) is any untoward medical occurrence in a participant who received study drug without regard to possibility of causal relationship. TEAEs included events from the first dose of study drug, up to 90 days after the last dose of study drug received or up to the start date of any subsequent anticancer therapy following discontinuation of study drug, or the final safety DCO date of 01Sep2022, whichever occurred first.

    Measured: Day 1 through 21.4 months (maximum observed duration)

  9. Number of Participants With Abnormal Clinical Laboratory Parameters Reported as TEAEs

    Participants with abnormal laboratory parameters reported as TEAEs are reported. Laboratory analysis included hematology and clinical chemistry. TEAEs included events from the first dose of study drug, up to 90 days after the last dose of study drug received or up to the start date of any subsequent anticancer therapy following discontinuation of study drug, or the final safety DCO date of 01Sep2022, whichever occurred first.

    Measured: Day 1 through 21.4 months (maximum observed duration)

  10. Number of Participants With Abnormal Vital Signs Reported as TEAEs

    Participants with abnormal vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and respiratory rate) reported as TEAEs are reported. TEAEs included events from the first dose of study drug, up to 90 days after the last dose of study drug received or up to the start date of any subsequent anticancer therapy following discontinuation of study drug, or the final safety DCO date of 01Sep2022, whichever occurred first.

    Measured: Day 1 through 21.4 months (maximum observed duration)

  11. Number of Participants With Electrocardiograms (ECGs) Reported as TEAEs

    Participants with Abnormal ECGs reported as TEAEs are reported. TEAEs included events from the first dose of study drug, up to 90 days after the last dose of study drug received or up to the start date of any subsequent anticancer therapy following discontinuation of study drug, or the final safety DCO date of 01Sep2022, whichever occurred first.

    Measured: Day 1 through 21.4 months (maximum observed duration)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted19 Oct 2020
  2. Study start2 Oct 2020
  3. Primary completion11 May 2022
  4. Study completion24 Sep 2026 (estimated)

Resources

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 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Parallel study. Participants will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to monalizumab and cetuximab or placebo and cetuximab.
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
370 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04590963
Sponsor's protocol ID
D7310C00001
Other IDs
2024-511813-39-00, 2019-004770-25, 2019
Acronym
INTERLINK-1
Status last verified
Sep 2026
First submitted
23 Sep 2020
Last updated
9 Sep 2026
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Qualified researchers can request access to anonymized individual patient-level data from AstraZeneca group of companies sponsored clinical trials via the request portal. All requests will be evaluated as per the AZ disclosure commitment: https://astrazenecagrouptrials.pharmacm.com/ST/Submission/Disclosure.

Publications

  • Nowojewski A, Wheal A, Dott W, Ruscica D, Ghiorghiu S, Valastro B. Implementation of the Study Participant Feedback Questionnaire to understand participant experience in a phase 3 oncology clinical trial. BMJ Open. 2025 Oct 28;15(10):e094596. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-094596.

    PubMed 41151963

Free account

Keep searching with a free account

You’ve used your 3 free searches for this session. Log in or create a free AzTrials account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in