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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01856478

LUX-Head&Neck 3: Afatinib (BIBW2992) Versus Methotrexate for the Treatment of Recurrent and/or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer After Platinum Based Chemotherapy

This randomized, open-label, phase III study will be performed in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck cancer which has progressed after platinum-based therapy. The objectives of this trial are to compare the efficacy and safety of afatinib versus methotrexate.

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Key information

Conditions

Head and Neck Neoplasms Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 3

Primary location

Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Beijing, China

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Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Histologically or cytologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx or larynx, which has recurred/metastasised and is not amenable for salvage surgery or radiotherapy.
  • Documented progressive disease based on investigator assessment according to RECIST, following receipt of a cisplatin and/or carboplatin and/or Nedaplatin based regimen administered for recurrent and/or metastatic disease independent of whether patient progressed during or after platinum based therapy.
  • Measurable disease according to RECIST (version 1.1).
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0 or 1 at Visit 2.
  • Male and female patients age is 18 years or older
  • Signed and dated written informed consent that is in compliance with ICH-GCP and local law.

Exclusion criteria

  • Progressive disease within three months after completion of curatively intended treatment for locoregionally advanced or for metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC).
  • Primary tumour site nasopharynx (of any histology), sinuses, and/or salivary glands.
  • Any other than one previous platinum based systemic regimen given for recurrent and/or metastatic disease, with the exception of immunotherapy used either before or after platinum based treatment. Re-challenge with the platinum based regimen after a temporary break is considered an additional line regimen only in case of progression within the break.
  • Prior treatment with EGFR-targeted small molecules.
  • Treatment with any investigational drug less than four weeks or anti-cancer therapy less than three weeks prior to randomization (except palliative radiotherapy to bones to alleviate pain).
  • Unresolved chronic toxicity, other than hearing loss, tinnitus or dry mouth, CTCAE grade >2 from previous anti-cancer therapy or unresolved skin toxicities CTCAE grade >1 and/or diarrhoea CTCAE grade >1 caused by prior treatment with EGFR targeted antibodies.
  • Previous tumour bleeding CTCAE grade =3.
  • Requirement for treatment with any of the prohibited concomitant medications.
  • Major surgical or planned procedure less than four weeks prior to randomization (isolated biopsies are not considered as major surgical procedures).
  • Any other malignancy unless free of disease for at least five years except for:
  • Other HNSCC of a location as described in inclusion criterion number 1
  • Appropriately treated superficial basal cell skin cancer
  • Surgically cured cervical cancer in situ
  • For Korea: endoscopically cured superficial esophageal and/or gastric cancer is allowed
  • Known lesion or signs of brain metastasis.
  • Known pre-existing interstitial lung disease (ILD).
  • Clinically relevant cardiovascular abnormalities, as judged by the investigator, such as, but not limited to, uncontrolled hypertension, congestive heart failure NYHA classification =III, unstable angina, myocardial infarction within six months prior to randomization, or poorly controlled arrhythmia.
  • Significant or recent acute gastrointestinal disorders with diarrhoea as a major symptom in the opinion of the investigator, e.g. Crohn's disease, malabsorption or CTCAE grade >1 diarrhoea of any aetiology at randomization.
  • Known HIV, active hepatitis B, active hepatitis C, and/or other known severe infections, including but not limited to tuberculosis, as judged by the investigator.
  • Other significant disease that in the investigator's opinion would exclude the subject from the trial.
  • Screening laboratory values:
  • Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <1.5x10^9/l
  • Platelet count <75x10^9/l
  • Total bilirubin >1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN)
  • Aspartate amino transferase (AST) or alanine amino transferase (ALT) >3 times the ULN (if related to liver metastases >5 times the ULN)
  • Calculated creatinine clearance <50 ml/min (as evidenced by using the Cockcroft-Gault formula).
  • Women of child-bearing potential and men who are able to father a child, unwilling to be abstinent or to use adequate contraception during the trial and for at least six months after end of treatment. Adequate methods of contraception and definition of child-bearing potential.
  • Pregnancy or breast feeding.
  • Known or suspected hypersensitivity to any of the study medications or their excipients.
  • Patients unable to comply with the protocol, in the opinion of the investigator.

Treatment and study plan

methotrexate

Drug

intravenous bolus injection once weekly

afatinib

Drug

oral intake of one film-coated tablet once daily

Primary outcomes

  1. Progression Free Survival (PFS)

    Time frame: From randomization until disease progression, death, or primary completion date, whichever occurs first. Up to 35 months.

    Progression-free survival (PFS) was defined as the time from the date of randomization to the date of disease progression (PD) evaluated according to Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 (v1.1). or to the date of death from any cause, whichever occurs first. PD was defined as at least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study. PFS parameters were calculated based on Kaplan-Meier curves generated for each group.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Objective Response (OR)

    Time frame: From randomization until earliest of disease progression, death, or interim cut-off date (11-Apr-2019). Up to 35 months.

    Objective response (OR) defined as the number of patients with best overall response of complete response (CR) or partial response (PR), according to RECIST 1.1. Complete response (CR) is defined as the disappearance of all target lesions and partial response (PR) is defined as decrease of at least 30% in the sum of the diameter of target lesions taking the baseline sum diameters as reference. Patients who did not show CR or PR were considered non-responders, irrespective of protocol violations or missing data.

  2. Overall Survival (OS)

    Time frame: From randomization until death. Up to 6 years.

    Overall survival (OS) defined as the time from the date of randomization to the date of death, regardless of its cause. OS parameters were calculated based on Kaplan-Meier curves generated for each group.

  3. Time to Deterioration in Global Health Status

    Time frame: From randomization until the earliest of deterioration, death, discontinuation with death within 4 weeks, or primary analysis date. Up to 30 months.

    Time to deterioration in global health status was defined as the time from randomization to the first decrease of 10 points on the global health/quality of life (QoL) scale. Patients with no deterioration (including those with disease progression) were censored at the last available health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment. The global health status (global health/QoL scale) was evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), a 30-item instrument designed to measure quality of life in cancer patients. It is composed of the overall health rating and the quality of life rating. The scale ranges from 0 to 100, where a higher score represents better global health status and quality of life.

  4. Time to Deterioration in Pain Symptoms

    Time frame: From randomization until the earliest of deterioration, death, discontinuation with death within 4 weeks, or primary analysis date. Up to 19 months.

    Time to deterioration in pain symptoms was defined as the time from randomization to the first decrease of 10 points on the pain scale. Patients with no deterioration (including those with disease progression) were censored at their last available health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment. The pain scale was evaluated using the pain module of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire for Head and Neck Cancer (EORTC QLQ-H&N35), which is designed to measure quality of life in head and neck cancer patients. It is composed of 4 questions, inquiring about pain in the mouth, pain in the jaw, soreness in the mouth, and a painful throat. The scale ranges from 0 to 100, where a higher score represents a higher symptom burden.

  5. Time to Deterioration in Swallowing

    Time frame: From randomization until the earliest of deterioration, death, discontinuation with death within 4 weeks, or primary analysis date. Up to 19 months.

    Time to deterioration in swallowing was defined as the time from randomization to the first decrease of 10 points on the swallowing scale. Patients with no deterioration (including those with disease progression) were censored at their last available health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment. The swallowing scale was evaluated using the swallowing module of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire for Head and Neck Cancer (EORTC QLQ-H&N35), which is designed to measure swallowing difficulties in head and neck cancer patients. It is composed of 4 questions, inquiring about problems swallowing liquids, pureed food, solid food, and choking when swallowing. The scale ranges from 0 to 100, where a higher score represents greater difficulty in swallowing.

  6. Change in Global Health Status Over Time

    Time frame: Mean change over time is reported up to 12 weeks. Detailed time frame in the endpoint description.

    Change in global health status over time was defined as the mean global health/QoL scale score up to the median follow-up time, describing the average global health status derived from the cumulative change over time, measured by the EORTC QLQ-C30. The EORTC QLQ-C30 is a 30-item questionnaire measuring quality of life in cancer patients (0 to 100, higher scores indicate better health/QoL).

    A mixed-effects growth curve model with a piecewise linear profile adjusted for baseline ECOG performance score and prior EGFR-targeted antibody use in R/M HNSCC was used. The change over time was calculated by dividing the area under the estimated growth curve (AUC) up to the median follow-up time by the median follow-up time.

    Timeframe: The model included measures at baseline and at the following timepoints, if available: Week 6, 12, 18, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96, individual end of treatment (EOT; up to 36 months), and individual follow-up visit (EOT + 4 weeks, up to 37 months).

  7. Change in Pain Scale Score Over Time

    Time frame: Mean change over time is reported up to 12 weeks. Detailed time frame in the endpoint description.

    Change in pain scale score over time was defined as the mean pain scale score up to the median follow-up time, describing the average pain score derived from the cumulative change over time, measured by the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 pain module. The EORTC QLQ-H&N35 pain module is a 4-question tool measuring pain in the mouth, jaw, throat, and soreness in the mouth (0 to 100, higher score = greater pain). A longitudinal mixed-effects growth curve model with a piecewise linear profile adjusted for baseline ECOG performance score and prior EGFR-targeted antibody use in R/M HNSCC was used. The change over time was calculated by dividing the area under the estimated growth curve (AUC) up to median follow-up time by the median follow-up time.

    Timeframe: The model included measures at baseline and at, if available: Week 6, 12, 18, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96, individual end of treatment (EOT; up to 36 months), and individual follow-up visit (EOT + 4 weeks, up to 37 months).

  8. Change in Swallowing Scale Scores Over Time

    Time frame: Mean change over time is reported up to 12 weeks. Detailed time frame in the endpoint description.

    Change in swallowing scale score over time was defined as the mean swallowing scale score up to the median follow-up time, describing the average swallowing score derived from the cumulative change over time. It was assessed by EORTC QLQ-H&N35 swallowing module, a 4-question tool measuring problems swallowing liquids, pureed food, solid food, and choking when swallowing (0 to 100, higher score = greater difficulty swallowing). A longitudinal mixed-effects growth curve model with a piecewise linear profile adjusted for baseline ECOG and prior EGFR-targeted antibody use in R/M HNSCC was used. The change over time was calculated by dividing the area under the estimated growth curve (AUC) up to median follow-up time by the median follow-up time.

    Timeframe: the model included measures at baseline and at, if available: Week 6, 12, 18, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96, individual end of treatment (EOT; up to 36 months), and individual follow-up visit (EOT + 4 weeks, up to 37 months)

  9. Number of Participants With Improvement in Pain Scale Score

    Time frame: Up to 37 months.

    The number of participants with an improvement in pain scale scores is reported. Improvement was defined as a score that increases by at least 10 points (on a 0-100 point scale) from baseline at any time during the study. If a patient did not show improvement, worsening was defined as a 10-point decrease at any time during the study. Patients who neither improve nor worsen were considered stable. The pain scale was assessed using the pain module of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire - Head and Neck Cancer (EORTC QLQ-H&N 35). This questionnaire is designed to measure the quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer. It consists of four questions that inquire about pain in the mouth, pain in the jaw, soreness in the mouth, and a painful throat. The scale ranges from 0 to 100, where a higher score indicates a greater symptom burden.

  10. Number of Participants With Improvement in Swallowing Scale Score

    Time frame: Up to 37 months.

    The number of participants with an improvement in swallowing scale scores is reported. Improvement was defined as a score that increases by at least 10 points (on a 0-100 point scale) from baseline at any time during the study. If a patient did not show improvement, worsening was defined as a 10-point decrease at any time during the study. Patients who neither improve nor worsen were considered stable. The swallowing scale was assessed using the swallowing module of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire - Head and Neck Cancer (EORTC QLQ-H&N 35). This questionnaire is designed to measure swallowing difficulties in patients with head and neck cancer. It consists of four questions that inquire about problems swallowing liquids, pureed food, solid food, and choking when swallowing. The scale ranges from 0 to 100, where a higher score indicates greater difficulty in swallowing.

  11. Number of Participants With Improvement in Overall Health Rate of the Global Health Status

    Time frame: Up to 37 months.

    The number of participants with an improvement in the overall health rate of global health status is reported. Improvement was defined as a score that increases by at least 10 points (on a 0-100 point scale) from baseline at any time during the study. If a patient did not show improvement, worsening was defined as a 10-point decrease at any time during the study. Patients who neither improve nor worsen were considered stable. The global health status (global health/QoL scale) was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), a 30-item instrument designed to measure quality of life in all cancer patients. It consists of the overall health rating and the quality of life rating. The scale ranges from 0 to 100, where a higher score indicates better global health status and quality of life.

  12. Number of Participants With Improvement in Quality of Life Rate of the Global Health Status

    Time frame: Up to 37 months.

    The number of participants with an improvement in the quality of life rating of global health status is reported. Improvement was defined as a score that increases by at least 10 points (on a 0-100 point scale) from baseline at any time during the study. If a patient did not show improvement, worsening was defined as a 10-point decrease at any time during the study. Patients who neither improve nor worsen were considered stable. The global health status (global health/QoL scale) was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), a 30-item instrument designed to measure quality of life in all cancer patients. It consists of the overall health rating and the quality of life rating. The scale ranges from 0 to 100, where a higher score indicates better global health status and quality of life.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Boehringer Ingelheim

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

A Randomised, Open-label, Phase III Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Afatinib (BIBW 2992) Versus Intravenous Methotrexate in Patients With Recurrent and/or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Who Have Progressed After Platinum-based Therapy.

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2024
First posted
May 17, 2013
Registry last updated
Jan 12, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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