The HexAgon-HN study is a clinical trial testing a new treatment for people with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) that has come back or spread to other parts of the body and cannot be treated with surgery or radiation. The trial focuses on patients whose tumours show high levels of a protein called PD-L1, which can affect how the immune system responds to cancer.
The study is looking at a new drug called INBRX-106. It has been designed to boost the body’s immune response stronger than currently available treatments.
Participants in the study will be randomly assigned to receive either
- a combination of the INBRX-106 and pembrolizumab (Keytruda)
- or pembrolizumab.
Researchers will track how well the treatments work at shrinking the cancer, how long patients live, and whether there are any serious side effects. This study could lead to a more effective first-line treatment for people with advanced head and neck cancer and high PD-L1 levels.
The trial is recruiting patients worldwide. There are only 11 centres in Europe and we are the only study centre in the UK. Our cancer research team has recently recruited their first patient into the trial. It was also the first patient recruited outside of the USA!
Dr Rafael Moleron, consultant clinical oncologist, is leading our head and neck cancer research portfolio. He is committed to advancing the treatment options for this patient population. We are grateful to Dr Moleron and the whole cancer research team in NHS Grampian and especially to the patients who are giving up their time to take part in research.
Links to further information:
Head and neck cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) | Cancer information | Cancer Research UK