De-intensified Radiation Therapy with Chemotherapy (Cisplatin) or Immunotherapy (Nivolumab) in Treating Patients with Early-Stage, HPV-Positive, Non-Smoking Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer

Summary

Objectives

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:
I. To demonstrate non-inferiority in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) of concurrent reduced-dose radiation therapy (RT) with cisplatin or concurrent reduced-dose radiation therapy with nivolumab to the current standard of care (standard-dose RT with cisplatin). (Phase II) (Arm 2 [concurrent reduced-dose RT with cisplatin] was dropped after interim futility analysis in phase II.)
II. To demonstrate non-inferiority in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) of concurrent reduced-dose radiation therapy (RT) with nivolumab to the current standard of care (standard-dose RT with cisplatin). (Phase II)
III. To demonstrate co-primary endpoints of non-inferiority of PFS and superiority of quality of life (QOL) as measured by the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) of concurrent reduced-dose radiation with cisplatin or concurrent reduced-dose radiation with nivolumab to the current standard of care (standard-dose RT with cisplatin). (Phase III) (Arm 2 [concurrent reduced-dose RT with cisplatin] was dropped after interim futility analysis in phase II.)
IV. To demonstrate co-primary endpoints of non-inferiority of PFS and superiority of quality of life (QOL) as measured by the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory [MDADI] of concurrent reduced-dose radiation with nivolumab to the current standard of care (standard-dose RT with cisplatin). (Phase III)

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:
I. To compare patterns of failure (local and regional relapse versus distant) and overall survival between the experimental arm and the control arm.
II. To assess long term PFS, overall survival, and toxicity between the experimental arm and the control arm.
III. To determine acute and late toxicity profiles as measured by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE).
IV. To explore the symptomatic adverse events (AEs) for tolerability of each treatment arm as measured by the Patient-Reported Outcomes (PRO)-CTCAE.
V. To compare changes in patient-reported outcomes (Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults-Screening [HHIA-S], European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer [EORTC]-Quality of Life Questionnaire [QLQ]30) between the experimental arm and the control arm.
VI. To assess the association of fludeoxyglucose F-18 (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) at baseline with locoregional control and PFS.
VII. To estimate the negative predictive value of the 12-14 weeks post-radiation therapy (RT) FDG-PET/CT in terms of locoregional control rates and PFS rates at 1 and 2 years.

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:
I. To collect blood and tissue specimens for future translation research.
II. To optimize radiotherapy treatment plan quality assurance methodology for radiotherapy planning and imaging.
III. To compare changes in patient-reported outcomes (European Quality of Life Five Dimension Five Level Scale [EQ-5D-5L]) between the experimental arm and the control arm.
IV. To collect Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) data for future review and analysis.

OUTLINE:

PHASE II: Patients are randomized to 1 of 3 arms.

ARM I: Patients undergo intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) over 6 fractions per week and receive cisplatin intravenously (IV) over 30-60 minutes on days 1 and 22. Treatment continues for 6 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients receive fludeoxyglucose F-18 (FDG) and undergo positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) or CT during screening and during follow up, and undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during follow up. Patients may also undergo tissue biopsy and blood sample collection throughout the study.

ARM II (CLOSED TO ACCRUAL 03-FEB-2023): Patients undergo reduced dose IMRT or IGRT once daily (QD) over 5 fractions per week and receive cisplatin IV over 30-60 minutes on days 1 and 22. Treatment continues for 6 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients receive FDG and undergo PET/CT or CT during screening and during follow up, and undergo MRI during follow up. Patients may also undergo tissue biopsy and blood sample collection throughout the study.

ARM III: Beginning 1 week prior to radiation, patients receive nivolumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 2 weeks (14 days) for up to 6 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo reduced dose IMRT or IGRT over 6 fractions per week for 5 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients receive FDG and undergo PET/CT or CT during screening and during follow up, and undergo MRI during follow up. Patients may also undergo tissue biopsy and blood sample collection throughout the study.

PHASE III: Patients are randomized to Arm I and/or Arm III.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 12-14 weeks, every 3 months for 2 years, every 6 months for 3 years, and then annually thereafter.