Double immunotherapy may keep nasopharyngeal cancer at bay
NCT ID NCT06029270
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Sep 04, 2026 · Updated 14 times
Summary
This phase II trial tests whether adding the immunotherapy drug relatlimab to standard nivolumab maintenance therapy can extend the time before cancer grows or spreads in patients with recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer linked to Epstein-Barr virus. Participants first receive chemotherapy (cisplatin or carboplatin plus gemcitabine) with nivolumab, then are randomly assigned to continue nivolumab alone or with relatlimab. The study aims to enroll 156 patients and will compare progression-free survival between the two groups.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- nivolumab and relatlimab (immunotherapy drugs)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a new maintenance treatment option that delays cancer progression in patients with recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer.
- What could go wrong
- This is a phase II trial with only 156 participants, so results are preliminary. Adding relatlimab may increase side effects without improving outcomes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 156 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jul 2024
- Expected to finish
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Apr 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government research agency
The lead sponsor is the US National Institutes of Health.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * PRIOR TO STEP 1 REGISTRATION: * Pathologically (histologically or cytologically) proven diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) that has recurred locoregionally and/or is present at distant sites. Patients who present with metastatic disease (de novo) at diagnosis are also eligible. For locoregional recurrence, the disease must not be amenable to potentially curative surgery or re-irradiation. Eligible patient must have the following characteristics: * Tumor showing (histological/cytological) Epstein-Barr encoded ribonucleic acid (EBER)-positivity (e.g., In situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry) or * A known history of detectable plasma EBV DNA (via a polymerase chain reaction \[PCR\]-based assay) at any time point since the initial diagnosis of NPC. * Measurable disease as defined by RECIST 1.1 criteria. Lesion(s) that have been irradiated previously can be counted as measurable as long as radiological progression after the prior radiation therapy has been demonstrated. * Contrast enhanced CT scan of the chest. The contrast enhanced CT component of a whole-body PET-CT is also acceptable. The plain (non-contrast) CT component of a PET-CT is not acceptable. * CT the abdomen and pelvis, if clinically indicated (diagnostic quality with contrast, unless contraindicated). * Patients with known locoregional disease must have contrast enhanced MRI or CT of the nasopharynx and neck as this disease site(s) may be assessed as target lesions. For patients without known locoregional disease, imaging of the nasopharynx and neck is optional. * Symptomatic and active brain metastases and/or leptomeningeal metastasis on CT and/or MRI imaging: Patients who have prior therapies for brain and leptomeningeal metastasis or cord/cauda compression who are clinically stable for \>= 2 months prior to registration and have discontinued systemic steroids therapy (\> 10 mg/day prednisone or equivalent) \> 4 weeks prior to registration are eligible. * Patients with base of skull involvement by NPC are allowed unless their disease is directly invading the brain parenchyma, associated with clinical symptoms and/or significant vasogenic edema on radiological imaging. * Age \>= 18 years. * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) (Zubrod) performance status of 0-2. * Negative urine or serum pregnancy test (in persons of childbearing potential) within 14 days prior to registration. Childbearing potential is defined as any person who has experienced menarche and who has not undergone surgical sterilization (hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy) or who is not postmenopausal. * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>= 1500 cells/mm\^3. * Platelets \>= 100,000 cells/mm\^3. * Hemoglobin (Hgb) \>= 8.0 g/dL (Transfusion is accepted. Erythropoietin dependency not accepted.). * Total bilirubin =\< 1.5 × institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) or direct bilirubin =\< ULN for patients with total bilirubin levels \> 1.5 × ULN. Patients with known Gilbert's disease who have serum bilirubin level =\< 3 × ULN may be enrolled. * Alanine transaminase (ALT) (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase \[SGPT\]) =\< 3 × ULN (=\< 5 × ULN for patients with liver metastases). * Serum creatinine =\< 1.5 × ULN or calculated creatinine clearance (CrCl) based on Cockcroft-Gault equation \>= 30 mL/min for patients with serum creatinine levels \> 1.5 × ULN. Cisplatin or carboplatin may be used at the discretion of the investigator - except for patients with CrCl between 30-50 mL/min, for whom carboplatin should be used instead of cisplatin. CrCl must be \> 50 mL/min for cisplatin to be used. * Albumin-adjusted calcium level based on corrected calcium equation =\< 1.5 × ULN (patients are allowed to have treatment for hypercalcemia prior to starting treatment). * No prior systemic treatment of palliative intent for recurrent/metastatic (R/M) NPC including cytotoxic chemotherapy. Prior treatment for non-recurrent and non-metastatic NPC is allowed. Systemic therapy given prior to curative intent re-irradiation or surgery is allowed for potentially curable locoregional recurrence. * No prior treatment with a PD-1 inhibitor (except if given as adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy for NPC), PD-L1 inhibitor, anti-PD-L2 inhibitor, LAG-3 inhibitor, CTLA-4 inhibitor (except if given as adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy for non-recurrent and non-metastatic NPC), or any other antibody or drug specifically targeting T-cell co-stimulation or immune checkpoint pathways. * The interval between the last dose of curative-intent treatment for non-recurrent, non-metastatic NPC, including definitive radiotherapy (RT) and/or induction, concurrent, or adjuvant chemotherapy and recurrence must be ˃ 6 months. * Clinically significant toxicities from any prior systemic therapy or radiotherapy must have resolved to grade 0 or 1 as per National Cancer Institute (NCI) CTCAE v 5.0 - except alopecia, dry mouth, dysgeusia, dysphagia, and fatigue. Patients with a history of grade 3-4 cisplatin related neuropathy must have recovered to grade 0-2 prior to registration. Patients with a history of hearing impairment, or ototoxicity from prior cisplatin, of any grade are allowed. * No prior palliative RT within 30 days prior to registration unless the irradiated site(s) are not the target lesions. The irradiated site(s) also must not be the only sites of measurable recurrent disease. * No major surgical procedures within 30 days prior to registration. * No history of unstable angina requiring hospitalization within the last 6 months. * No history of myocardial infarction within the last 6 months. * New York Heart Association Functional Classification II or better (New York Heart Association \[NYHA\] Functional Classification III/IV are not eligible). Patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure or a known history of having a left ventricular ejection fraction \< 50% must be stably controlled with medication in the opinion of the treating physician, in consultation with a cardiologist if appropriate. * No prior history of myocarditis. * No active infection requiring IV antibiotics, IV antiviral, or IV antifungal treatments at the time of study registration. * No history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or current pneumonitis requiring steroids and/or immunosuppressive therapy, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, drug-induced pneumonitis, organizing pneumonia (i.e., bronchiolitis obliterans), or idiopathic pneumonitis. * No history of multi-drug resistant mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) or active TB, as defined by systemic treatment received =\< 2 years prior to registration. Note: Patients who had a history of treated TB ˃ 2 years prior to registration are allowed. * No prior solid organ transplant or bone marrow transplant. * No conditions requiring systemic treatment with either immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids (\> 10 mg daily prednisone or equivalents) or other immunosuppressive medications within 14 days of registration. Inhaled or topical steroids and adrenal replacement doses \< 10 mg daily prednisone equivalents are permitted in the absence of active autoimmune disease. Steroid premedication for the prophylaxis of CT contrast-related allergies is allowed. The use of dexamethasone as an anti-emetic premedication prior to chemotherapy is also allowed. * No active autoimmune disease requiring systemic treatment (i.e., disease modifying agents, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressive drugs) within the past 2 years. These may include (but not limited to) patients with a history of immune-related neurologic disease, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune (demyelinating) neuropathy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, myasthenia gravis; systemic autoimmune disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue diseases, scleroderma, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, autoimmune hepatitis, glomerulonephritis; and patients with a history of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), Stevens-Johnson syndrome, or phospholipid syndrome. * Note: Patients are permitted to enroll if they have vitiligo; type I diabetes mellitus; hypothyroidism, pituitary or adrenal insufficiency requiring only hormone replacement; alopecia; and/or psoriasis not requiring systemic treatment. Conditions not expected to recur in the absence of an external trigger are permitted to enroll. * No prior live vaccine within 30 days prior to registration. Examples of live vaccines include, but are not limited to, the following: measles, mumps, rubella, varicella/zoster, yellow fever, rabies, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), and typhoid vaccine. Seasonal influenza vaccines for injection are generally killed virus vaccines and are allowed; however, intranasal influenza vaccines (e.g., FluMist \[registered trademark\]) are live attenuated vaccines and are not allowed. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines that are approved by the local drug regulatory authority of the participating region are allowed. * No known history of grade 3-4 allergic reaction or hypersensitivity reaction to cisplatin, carboplatin, or gemcitabine. * No known history of grade 4 hypersensitivity (or infusion) reaction to any monoclonal antibody. Patients who had prior grade 3 hypersensitivity (or infusion) reaction but could tolerate resumption of the antibody treatment after appropriate pre-medication are eligible. * PRIOR TO STEP 2 REGISTRATION: * Collection of plasma EBV DNA at baseline is mandatory for all patients prior to Step 2 registration and induction treatment. * Note: Submission of the baseline sample will be batch shipped. * PRIOR TO STEP 3 REGISTRATION/RANDOMIZATION: PATIENTS WITHOUT PROGRESSIVE DISEASE (PD) ONLY: * All patients must have received minimum of 3 cycles, and up to a maximum of 6 cycles of induction treatment within 20 weeks from cycle 1, day 1 of induction treatment (i.e., patients must have completed all induction treatment within 20 weeks from cycle 1 day 1, including the treatment breaks). Patients must have completed 6 cycles of induction treatment, except in the following circumstances: * Significant dose delays as a result of treatment-related toxicities. * Intercurrent illness(s), that rendered the patient unable to continue induction treatment. * Note: If a patient received \< 6 cycles of induction treatment for reasons other than the above circumstances, they will not be eligible for randomization. * A CT scan within 30 days prior to Step 3 registration/randomization is required. If the most recent scan performed is not within this time frame, a repeat scan is required to assess response. * Did not meet any criteria that result in permanent discontinuation of study treatment during induction treatment phase. * Must meet the criteria for starting/resuming a new cycle of maintenance treatment. * Did not experience any nivolumab-related autoimmune toxicities that would result in permanent discontinuation of nivolumab during the induction treatment phase. * Collection of the plasma EBV DNA post-induction treatment is mandatory. * Note: Submission of the post-induction sample will be batch shipped.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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The places running it
86 sites in 5 countries. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
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Locations
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Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute
RECRUITINGGreat Falls, Montana, 59405, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Billings Clinic Cancer Center
RECRUITINGBillings, Montana, 59101, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital
RECRUITINGBozeman, Montana, 59715, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Broadlawns Medical Center
RECRUITINGDes Moines, Iowa, 50314, United States
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Carle Cancer Center
RECRUITINGUrbana, Illinois, 61801, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Carle Physician Group-Effingham
RECRUITINGEffingham, Illinois, 62401, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Carle Physician Group-Mattoon/Charleston
RECRUITINGMattoon, Illinois, 61938, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Carle at The Riverfront
RECRUITINGDanville, Illinois, 61832, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Chinese University of Hong Kong-Prince of Wales Hospital
RECRUITINGShatin, Hong Kong
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Community Hospital of Anaconda
RECRUITINGAnaconda, Montana, 59711, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Community Medical Center
RECRUITINGMissoula, Montana, 59804, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Emory University Hospital Midtown
RECRUITINGAtlanta, Georgia, 30308, United States
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Heartland Oncology and Hematology LLP
SUSPENDEDCouncil Bluffs, Iowa, 51503, United States
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Iowa Methodist Medical Center
RECRUITINGDes Moines, Iowa, 50309, United States
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Kaiser Permanente Downtown Commons
RECRUITINGSacramento, California, 95814, United States
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Kaiser Permanente Dublin
RECRUITINGDublin, California, 94568, United States
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Kaiser Permanente Fresno Orchard Plaza
RECRUITINGFresno, California, 93720, United States
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Kaiser Permanente Medical Center - Santa Clara
RECRUITINGSanta Clara, California, 95051, United States
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Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center
RECRUITINGHonolulu, Hawaii, 96819, United States
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Kaiser Permanente San Leandro
RECRUITINGSan Leandro, California, 94577, United States
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Kaiser Permanente- Modesto MOB II
RECRUITINGModesto, California, 95356, United States
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Kaiser Permanente-Fremont
RECRUITINGFremont, California, 94538, United States
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Kaiser Permanente-Fresno
RECRUITINGFresno, California, 93720, United States
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Kaiser Permanente-Modesto
RECRUITINGModesto, California, 95356, United States
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Kaiser Permanente-Oakland
RECRUITINGOakland, California, 94611, United States
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Kaiser Permanente-Roseville
RECRUITINGRoseville, California, 95661, United States
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Kaiser Permanente-San Francisco
RECRUITINGSan Francisco, California, 94115, United States
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Kaiser Permanente-Santa Rosa
RECRUITINGSanta Rosa, California, 95403, United States
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Kaiser Permanente-Santa Teresa-San Jose
RECRUITINGSan Jose, California, 95119, United States
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Kaiser Permanente-South Sacramento
RECRUITINGSacramento, California, 95823, United States
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Kaiser Permanente-South San Francisco
RECRUITINGSouth San Francisco, California, 94080, United States
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Kaiser Permanente-Vallejo
RECRUITINGVallejo, California, 94589, United States
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Kaiser Permanente-Walnut Creek
RECRUITINGWalnut Creek, California, 94596, United States
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Kaiser San Rafael-Gallinas
RECRUITINGSan Rafael, California, 94903, United States
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Keck Medicine of USC Koreatown
RECRUITINGLos Angeles, California, 90020, United States
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Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services - Post Falls
RECRUITINGPost Falls, Idaho, 83854, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services - Sandpoint
RECRUITINGSandpoint, Idaho, 83864, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Kootenai Health - Coeur d'Alene
RECRUITINGCoeur d'Alene, Idaho, 83814, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Logan Health Medical Center
RECRUITINGKalispell, Montana, 59901, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Los Angeles General Medical Center
RECRUITINGLos Angeles, California, 90033, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Medical University of South Carolina
RECRUITINGCharleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States
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Mercy Hospital Saint Louis
RECRUITINGSt Louis, Missouri, 63141, United States
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Mercy Hospital South
RECRUITINGSt Louis, Missouri, 63128, United States
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Mercy Medical Center - Des Moines
RECRUITINGDes Moines, Iowa, 50314, United States
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Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital
RECRUITINGCouncil Bluffs, Iowa, 51503, United States
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National Cancer Centre Singapore
RECRUITINGSingapore, 168583, Singapore
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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National University Hospital Singapore
RECRUITINGSingapore, 119074, Singapore
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Nebraska Cancer Specialists/Oncology Hematology West PC - MECC
SUSPENDEDOmaha, Nebraska, 68114, United States
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Nebraska Cancer Specialists/Oncology Hematology West PC - MEJ
RECRUITINGCouncil Bluffs, Iowa, 51503, United States
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Nebraska Methodist Hospital
RECRUITINGOmaha, Nebraska, 68114, United States
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Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Delnor
RECRUITINGGeneva, Illinois, 60134, United States
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Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Kishwaukee
RECRUITINGDeKalb, Illinois, 60115, United States
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Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Warrenville
RECRUITINGWarrenville, Illinois, 60555, United States
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Northwestern Medicine Glenview Outpatient Center
RECRUITINGGlenview, Illinois, 60026, United States
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Northwestern Medicine Grayslake Outpatient Center
RECRUITINGGrayslake, Illinois, 60030, United States
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Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital
RECRUITINGLake Forest, Illinois, 60045, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Northwestern Medicine Orland Park
RECRUITINGOrland Park, Illinois, 60462, United States
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Northwestern University
RECRUITINGChicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Oklahoma Cancer Specialists and Research Institute-Tulsa
SUSPENDEDTulsa, Oklahoma, 74146, United States
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Oncology Associates PC
SUSPENDEDOmaha, Nebraska, 68114, United States
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Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
RECRUITINGMelbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
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ProHealth D N Greenwald Center
RECRUITINGMukwonago, Wisconsin, 53149, United States
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ProHealth Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital
RECRUITINGOconomowoc, Wisconsin, 53066, United States
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ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital
RECRUITINGWaukesha, Wisconsin, 53188, United States
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Providence Portland Medical Center
RECRUITINGPortland, Oregon, 97213, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Providence Saint Vincent Medical Center
RECRUITINGPortland, Oregon, 97225, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Center-Boise
SUSPENDEDBoise, Idaho, 83706, United States
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Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Center-Caldwell
SUSPENDEDCaldwell, Idaho, 83605, United States
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Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Center-Nampa
SUSPENDEDNampa, Idaho, 83687, United States
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Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Center-Ontario
SUSPENDEDOntario, Oregon, 97914, United States
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Saint Anthony Regional Hospital
RECRUITINGCarroll, Iowa, 51401, United States
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Stanford Cancer Institute Palo Alto
RECRUITINGPalo Alto, California, 94304, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Swedish Medical Center-First Hill
RECRUITINGSeattle, Washington, 98122, United States
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UI Health Care Mission Cancer and Blood - Ankeny Clinic
RECRUITINGAnkeny, Iowa, 50023, United States
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UI Health Care Mission Cancer and Blood - Des Moines Clinic
RECRUITINGDes Moines, Iowa, 50309, United States
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UI Health Care Mission Cancer and Blood - Laurel Clinic
RECRUITINGDes Moines, Iowa, 50314, United States
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UI Health Care Mission Cancer and Blood - Waukee Clinic
RECRUITINGWaukee, Iowa, 50263, United States
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UI Health Care Mission Cancer and Blood - West Des Moines Clinic
RECRUITINGClive, Iowa, 50325, United States
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UI Healthcare Mission Cancer and Blood - Fort Dodge
RECRUITINGFort Dodge, Iowa, 50501, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
RECRUITINGLos Angeles, California, 90033, United States
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USC Norris Oncology/Hematology-Newport Beach
RECRUITINGNewport Beach, California, 92663, United States
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UW Cancer Center at ProHealth Care
RECRUITINGWaukesha, Wisconsin, 53188, United States
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University Health Network-Princess Margaret Hospital
RECRUITINGToronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
RECRUITINGSacramento, California, 95817, United States
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University of Cincinnati Cancer Center-UC Medical Center
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITINGCincinnati, Ohio, 45219, United States
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University of Cincinnati Cancer Center-West Chester
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITINGWest Chester, Ohio, 45069, United States
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University of Illinois
RECRUITINGChicago, Illinois, 60612, United States
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University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
RECRUITINGOklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Immunotherapy boost may improve outcomes in returning throat cancer
- New surgery technique could improve survival in recurrent throat cancer
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