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Head and Neck NeoplasmsPhase 1NCT06912087

Dose Finding Study of Zanzalintinib With Pembrolizumab and Cetuximab in Head and Neck SCC

A Phase 1 study testing Zanzalintinib, Cetuximab and Pembrolizumab in people with Head and Neck Neoplasms and Carcinoma, Squamous Cell, run by University of Chicago at 1 site in United States.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This Phase I clinical trial evaluates the safety, tolerability, and optimal dosing of Zanzalintinib in combination with Pembrolizumab and Cetuximab in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M HNSCC). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Zanzalintinib, Cetuximab and Pembrolizumab
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
36 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
29 Sep 2025to 5 Jun 2027
Phase
Phase 1
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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

  • Histologically or cytologically confirmed recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M HNSCC), which is considered incurable by local therapies.
  • Primary tumor locations: oropharynx, oral cavity, hypopharynx, larynx, nasopharynx, and sinonasal. Unknown primary is also eligible.
  • Age: Participants must be at least 18 years old.
  • ECOG Performance Status: Must be 0-1.
  • Measurable disease by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 criteria.
  • For oropharyngeal cancer: HPV (p16) testing is required. p16 Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is sufficient for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing.
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  • Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) combined positive score (CPS) : For patients with previously untreated R/M disease, a combined positive score (CPS) of 1 or greater is required. There is no PD-L1 restriction for patients who have previously received anti-PD(L)1 therapy.
  • Recovery to baseline or ≤ Grade 1 severity (CTCAE v5) from any adverse events (AEs), including immune-related AEs from prior treatments.
  • Adequate organ and marrow function, including:
  • Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1500/mm3.
  • Platelets ≥ 100,000/mm3.
  • Hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL.
  • Normal liver and kidney function.
  • Capable of understanding and complying with the protocol requirements and must have signed the informed consent document.
  • Contraception: Sexually active fertile subjects must agree to use a highly effective method of contraception during the study and for 2 months after the last dose of cetuximab and 4 months after the last dose of pembrolizumab.

Who cannot join

  • Prior treatment with Zanzalintinib or other vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-targeted therapies, -Cetuximab, or other epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors.
  • More than two prior lines of systemic therapy in the recurrent/metastatic setting.
  • Relapsed disease within 3 months of definitive therapy.
  • Prior treatment with small molecule kinase inhibitors, chemotherapy, biologic, or other anticancer therapies within certain time frames (2-4 weeks before the first dose of study treatment).
  • Brain metastases or cranial epidural disease unless stable after treatment for at least 4 weeks.
  • Concomitant anticoagulation with oral anticoagulants or platelet inhibitors, unless on stable doses of acceptable anticoagulants.
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  • Active infection requiring systemic treatment or significant cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, or other serious health issues that may affect study participation.
  • Known or suspected autoimmune disease, except for specific conditions like type I diabetes or controlled skin disorders.
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Women must not be pregnant or breastfeeding at screening.
  • Other malignancies within the past 2 years (except for certain low-grade cancers like localized skin cancers).

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

United States1 site, 1 recruiting
  • University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Chicago, Illinois, 60637

    Cancer Trial Intake, 1-855-702-8222, cancerclinicaltrials@bsd.uchicago.edu

    Ari Rosenberg, MD

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: A Phase I Study of Zanzalintinib With Pembrolizumab and Cetuximab in Patients With Recurrent and/or Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

This Phase I clinical trial evaluates the safety, tolerability, and optimal dosing of Zanzalintinib in combination with Pembrolizumab and Cetuximab in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M HNSCC). The study aims to establish the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended Phase II dose (RP2D) while also exploring efficacy outcomes, including progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Read the detailed description

This Phase I, single-site clinical trial investigates the combination therapy of Zanzalintinib, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor, with Pembrolizumab, an anti-PD1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, and Cetuximab, an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody, in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M HNSCC). The primary objective is to determine the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) and the recommended Phase II dose (RP2D) of Zanzalintinib in combination with Pembrolizumab and Cetuximab.

Secondary objectives include evaluating safety, tolerability, objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Exploratory objectives will investigate the effects of the treatment on plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels, immune phenotype, genetic alterations, and histopathologic changes in tumor biopsies.

The trial uses a dose-escalation design, with a 42-day treatment cycle, to assess safety and dose-limiting toxicities. This combination targets the immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment, aiming to overcome resistance mechanisms and improve clinical outcomes for a population with limited therapeutic options.

Being tested
Zanzalintinib, Cetuximab, Pembrolizumab
Medical subject headings
Head and Neck Neoplasms, Carcinoma, Squamous Cell, Neoplasm Recurrence, Local, Neoplasm Metastasis

What participants receive

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

  • ZanzalintinibDrug

    Also called XL 092, XL-092, XL092

    Experimental receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs)

  • CetuximabDrug

    Also called Erbitux

    Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved monoclonal antibody directed against the epidermal growth factor (EGFR).

  • PembrolizumabDrug

    Also called Keytruda

    FDA approved monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) G4 antibody directed against human cell surface receptor PD-1 (programmed death-1 or programmed cell death-1)

Study groups in NCT06912087
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Dose Escalation (Dose Level -1)ExperimentalParticipants receive the combination of the following drugs in 42-day cycles: * Zanzalintinib at a dose of 20 mg daily on days 1-42 of each cycle * Cetuximab at a dose of 500 mg/m2 on days 1, 15, and 29 of each cycle * Pembrolizumab 400 mg on day 1 of each cycle
Receives: Drug: Zanzalintinib; Drug: Cetuximab; Drug: Pembrolizumab
Dose Escalation (Dose Level 0)ExperimentalParticipants receive the combination of the following drugs in 42-day cycles: * Zanzalintinib at a dose of 40 mg daily on days 1-42 of each cycle * Cetuximab at a dose of 500 mg/m2 on days 1, 15, and 29 of each cycle * Pembrolizumab 400 mg on day 1 of each cycle This will be the first dose escalation enrolled. Dose Levels 1 and/or -1 will be enrolled depending on side effects seen in participants enrolled to this cohort.
Receives: Drug: Zanzalintinib; Drug: Cetuximab; Drug: Pembrolizumab
Dose Escalation (Dose Level 1)ExperimentalParticipants receive the combination of the following drugs in 42-day cycles: * Zanzalintinib at a dose of 60 mg daily on days 1-42 of each cycle * Cetuximab at a dose of 500 mg/m2 on days 1, 15, and 29 of each cycle * Pembrolizumab 400 mg on day 1 of each cycle
Receives: Drug: Zanzalintinib; Drug: Cetuximab; Drug: Pembrolizumab
Dose ExpansionExperimentalParticipants receive the combination of the following drugs in 42-day cycles: * Zanzalintinib will be dosed daily (days 1-42) at the dose identified as recommended phase 2 dose during dose escalation. * Cetuximab at a dose of 500 mg/m2 on days 1, 15, and 29 of each cycle * Pembrolizumab 400 mg on day 1 of each cycle The expansion cohort will begin enrollment after the dose escalation cohorts have completed enrollment.
Receives: Drug: Zanzalintinib; Drug: Cetuximab; Drug: Pembrolizumab

What is being measured

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

  1. Maximally Tolerated Dose (MTD) of Zanzalintinib in Combination with Pembrolizumab and Cetuximab

    The MTD will be defined as the dose combination with a dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) rate closest to the target DLT rate of 25%.

    Measured: end of DLT evaluation period (first 28 days of treatment)

  2. Recommended Phase II Dose (RP2D) of Zanzalintinib in Combination with Pembrolizumab and Cetuximab

    The RP2D will be defined as the MTD identified after enrollment to all cohorts.

    Measured: End of enrollment

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Progression-Free Survival (PFS)

    The secondary outcome measure of Progression-Free Survival (PFS) will assess the time from the first dose of the study drug (Zanzalintinib, Pembrolizumab, and Cetuximab) to the date of documented disease progression (PD) based on RECIST v1.1 or death, whichever occurs first. This measure will help evaluate the efficacy of the combination therapy in delaying disease progression in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

    Measured: 2 years from the date of the final subject accrual on study

  2. Overall Survival (OS)

    The secondary outcome measure of Overall Survival (OS) will evaluate the time from the first dose of the study drug (Zanzalintinib, Pembrolizumab, and Cetuximab) to the date of death from any cause. This outcome will help assess the overall impact of the combination therapy on patient survival in recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

    Measured: 2 years from the date of the final subject accrual on study

  3. Safety of zanzalintinib in combination with pembrolizumab and cetuximab

    Adverse events (AEs) leading to discontinuation or death, and severity of AEs will be assessed by National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE), version 5.0.

    Measured: End of treatment (about 24 months on average)

Timeline

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

  1. First posted4 Apr 2025
  2. Study start29 Sep 2025
  3. Primary completion5 Jun 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion5 Jun 2027 (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 1
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Sequential
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
36 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06912087
Sponsor's protocol ID
IRB24-1994
Status last verified
Nov 2025
First submitted
31 Jan 2025
Last updated
2 Dec 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: The document you provided does not include a specific IPD (Individual Patient Data) Sharing Plan or details regarding what patient data may be shared with other researchers. Typically, this information is outlined in separate documentation, such as consent forms or data sharing agreements, and would depend on institutional policies or specific regulatory requirements. If you require more detailed information about the plan to share IPD for this study, I recommend contacting the Principal Investigator or the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center directly to inquire about their data sharing practices.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 1 study testing Zanzalintinib, Cetuximab and Pembrolizumab in people with Head and Neck Neoplasms and Carcinoma, Squamous Cell, run by University of Chicago 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 15 inclusion and 10 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Dec 2025. 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 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.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Clinical Trials Intake (1-855-702-8222, cancerclinicaltrials@bsd.uchicago.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Maximally Tolerated Dose (MTD) of Zanzalintinib in Combination with Pembrolizumab and Cetuximab (time frame: end of DLT evaluation period (first 28 days of treatment)). 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?
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 2 Dec 2025.

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