ELOS - Induction Chemotherapy With Docetaxel and Cisplatin Followed by Radiation Compared to Additional PD-1 Inhibition in CPS ≥1 Advanced Laryngeal/Hypopharyngeal Cancer Suitable for Laryngectomy Selected After Early Response Evaluation
ELOS is a prospective, randomized, open-label, controlled, two-armed parallel group, phase II multicentre trial in local advanced stage III, IVA/B head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx or hypopharynx (LHNSCC) with PD-L1-expression within tumor tissue biopsy, calculated as CPS ≥ 1 curable by total laryngectomy. Induction chemotherapy (IC) with Docetaxel and Cisplatin (TP) followed by radiation will be compared to additional PD-1 inhibition. Patients will be selected after short induction early response evaluation after the first cycle IC (IC-1) aiming on larynx organ-preservation by additional 2 cycles IC followed by radiotherapy (69.6 Gy) for responders achieving endoscopic estimated tumor surface shrinkage (ETSS) ≥ 30%. Nonresponders (ETSS \< 30% or progressing disease) will receive total laryngectomy and selective neck dissection followed by postoperative radiation or chemoradiation according to the recommendation of the clinics multidisciplinary tumor board. However, Patients randomized into the intervention arm starting day 1 will receive 200 mg Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) i.v. in 3-week cycle (q3w) for 17 cycles (12 months). Treatment with pembrolizumab will continue in the experimental arm regardless of ETSS status after IC-1 in both responders and laryngectomized nonresponders, independent from subsequent decision on adjuvant therapy after TL.
‣ Participants are eligible to be included in the study only if all of the following criteria apply:
• Male and female participants who are at least 18 years of age on the day of signing informed consent with histologically confirmed diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx or hypopharynx according to the decision of the multidisciplinary tumor board suitable for total laryngectomy can be enrolled in this study.
• Stage III, IVA or IVB, whenever clear resection margins R0 \>5 mm can be achieved and no radiologic signs of extranodal extension of neck nodes are present.
• Have provided newly obtained excisional biopsy of a tumor lesion not previously irradiated. Formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks are preferred to slides.
• PD-L1-expression\* within the tumor biopsy, CPS ≥1
• Male participants:
• A male participant must agree to use a contraception as detailed in Appendix 3 of this protocol during the treatment period and for at least 120 days after the last dose of study treatment and refrain from donating sperm during this period.
• Female participants:
• A female participant is eligible to participate if she is not pregnant (see Appendix 3), not breastfeeding, and at least one of the following conditions applies:
⁃ Not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) OR
⁃ A WOCBP who agrees to follow the contraceptive guidance during the treatment period and for at least 120 days after the last dose of study treatment.
• Have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 to 1. Evaluation of ECOG is to be performed within 7 days prior to the date of allocation/randomization.
• Have adequate organ function as defined in the (Table 4) of the protocol. Specimens must be collected within 10 days prior to the start of study treatment.