ClinicalTrials.gg
TerminatedNCT04169074Updated May 22, 2026Results posted

Immune Modulation by Abemaciclib in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC). (AIM Trial)

A Phase 2 interventional study of Abemaciclib in HNSCC, sponsored by University of Arizona. Terminated at 2 sites in United States. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-22.

Sponsored by University of Arizona · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment

Why this study was terminated
Standard of care therapy for Stage III-IVA HNSCC updated in June to include neoadjuvant + adjuvant immunotherapy.
Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
7
Allocation
Not applicable
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This is a Phase II single-arm window trial to assess the clinical and biological effects of neoadjuvant abemaciclib in patients with HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Read the detailed description

This is a Phase II single-arm window trial to assess the clinical and biological effects of 10-21 days of neoadjuvant abemaciclib in patients with HPV-negative HNSCC who are planned for oncologic surgery, with pre-clinically informed genetic and immune biomarker correlatives.

In the window-of-opportunity clinical trial, patients planned for oncologic surgery are briefly exposed to a novel cancer agent in the window between diagnostic biopsy and definitive surgery. Paired, pre- and post-surgical tumor specimens permit ex vivo analysis of target modulation in both tumor and the tumor microenvironment - providing insight into mechanism of action and paving the way for rigorous companion biomarker development. Clinical activity is assessed by quantitative change in tumor size (∆T), which is correlated to hypothesis-driven genomic and immune biomarkers of interest.

Investigators hypothesize that abemaciclib will significantly reduce tumor burden as measured by ∆T. Further, investigators will test the primary biomarker hypothesis that the clinical activity of abemaciclib is associated with an increased proportion of tumors that are T-cell inflamed. Investigators will evaluate tumor-intrinsic, tumor microenvironment (TME), and microbiome biomarker hypotheses in specific genetic contexts, including tumors with specific classes of tumor protein 53 (TP53) mutations, p16 loss, and/or CCND1 amplification.

02

Conditions studied

  • HNSCC

Keywords

  • Head and Neck Cancer
  • HNSCC
  • Squamous Cell Cancer
  • abemaciclib
03

In context

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

2,018 studies on the registry are indexed under Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; 573 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 7 is below the median of 48 across 1,653 interventional studies indexed under Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck.

Browse Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck studies →

Lead sponsor

University of Arizona is the lead sponsor of 476 studies on the registry; 88 are open to participants now.

Of its 51 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 30 (59%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
Child (0–17), Adult (18–64), Older adult (65+)
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  1. Cytologic or histologic diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, p16-negative oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx.
  2. Tumors must be HPV-negative. For eligibility, tumors of the oral cavity, hypopharynx, or larynx will be considered HPV-negative without specialized testing. Tumors of the oropharynx must be HPV-negative as determined by p16 immunohistochemistry and/or HPV-DNA per local standard.
  3. Clinical stage I-IVa based upon the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging manual, 8th edition.
  4. Appropriate and planned for oncologic resection of the primary tumor and/or neck dissection.
  5. Clinically or radiologically ; the primary tumor and/or cervical nodes may be measurable according to 1.1 (tumor diameter ≥ 1 cm; short-axis lymph node diameter ≥ 1.5 cm) OR by caliper/ruler measurement (tumor diameter ≥ 1 cm).
  6. No prior treatment for the index (study-qualifying) HNSCC.
  7. Patients with two simultaneous primary tumors or bilateral tumors are included.
  8. The index HNSCC may be a second primary HNSCC, provided the following criteria are met:

    a. The previously treated HNSCC was treated with curative intent. b. The index HNSCC is at least 1 cm from the previously treated HNSCC. c. At least 2 years have elapsed since curative treatment of the previous HNSCC without evidence for recurrence.

  9. (ECOG) performance status 0-1. (See Appendix 1.)
  10. Adequate hematologic function, as defined by:

    a. (ANC) ≥ 1,500/µl b. ≥ 100,000/µl c. ≥ 8 g/dL

  11. Adequate liver function, as defined by:

    a. ≤ 1.5 x institutional (ULN). Patients with Gilbert's syndrome with a total bilirubin ≤ 2.0 x ULN and direct bilirubin within normal limits are permitted.

    b. (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 3 x ULN

  12. Adequate renal function, as defined by creatinine ≤ 1.5 x ULN.
  13. Able to swallow oral medications.
  14. Have signed written .
  15. Consent to biomarker collection requirements, including mandatory baseline and intra-operative research of the index tumor.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Prior treatment with any cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor or anti-programmed death (PD)-1/L1 inhibitor is not allowed.
  2. Current or prior use of medication within 14 days before the first dose of their assigned protocol treatment. The following are exceptions to this criterion unless otherwise indicated:

    1. Intranasal, inhaled, or topical , or local steroid injections (eg, intra articular injection)
    2. Systemic corticosteroids at physiologic doses not to exceed 10 mg/day of prednisone or its equivalent
    3. Steroids as premedication for reactions (eg, CT premedication) and/or as anti-emetics
  3. Active or previously documented or inflammatory disorders (including inflammatory bowel disease [eg, colitis, Crohn's disease], diverticulitis [with the exception of diverticulosis], systemic lupus erythematosus, sarcoidosis syndrome, Wegener syndrome [granulomatosis with polyangiitis], Graves' disease, rheumatoid arthritis, hypophysitis, uveitis, etc.). The following are exceptions to this criterion:

    1. Patients with vitiligo or alopecia
    2. Patients with hypothyroidism (eg, following Hashimoto syndrome) stable on hormone replacement. Subclinical hypothyroidism (eg. Elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), low or normal free T4, and asymptomatic) observed on screening labs is not an exclusion.
    3. Any chronic skin condition that does not require systemic therapy
    4. Patients without active disease in the last 5 years may be included but only after consultation with the study PI
    5. Patients with celiac disease controlled by diet alone
  4. Patient has a personal history of any of the following cardiac or pulmonary abnormalities:

    1. Syncope of cardiovascular etiology
    2. Ventricular arrhythmia of pathologic origin (including, but limited to, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation)
    3. Sudden cardiac arrest
    4. Documented history of functional classification III-IV congestive heart failure
    5. Myocardial infarction ≤ 6 months prior to enrollment
    6. Current unstable angina pectoris
    7. Interstitial lung disease
    8. Severe dyspnea at rest or requiring oxygen therapy
  5. Patient with impaired gastrointestinal (GI) function or GI disease that may significantly alter the absorption of oral abemaciclib (e.g. history of major surgical resection involving the stomach or small bowel, malabsorption syndrome, preexisting Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, preexisting chronic condition resulting in baseline Grade 2 or higher diarrhea).
  6. Patients who require the chronic administration of drugs that are strong and moderate inducers of Cytochrome P450, family 3, subfamily A, () and/or strong inhibitors of CYP3A, and no acceptable substitute can be identified, are not eligible for study (See Appendix 2). Such drugs should be discontinued at least 7 days before the start of study treatment.
  7. The patient has active bacterial infection (requiring intravenous [IV] antibiotics at time of initiating study treatment), fungal infection, or detectable viral infection (such as known positivity or known active or C [e.g. hepatitis B surface antigen positive or antibody positive with detectable viral load]). Screening for HIV or hepatitis is not required for enrollment.
  8. Patient with any other condition that would, in the Investigator's judgment, preclude patient's participation in the clinical study due to safety concerns or compliance with clinical study procedures, e.g. social/psychological complications.
  9. Pregnant or nursing (lactating) women.
  10. Patient who does not apply highly effective during the study and through the duration as defined below after the final dose of study treatment:

    1. Sexually active males should use a condom during intercourse while taking abemaciclib and for 4 weeks after the final dose of abemaciclib.
    2. Males who are sexually active with a woman of should apply highly effective contraception during the study as defined below, in order not to father a child in this period.
    3. Women of child-bearing potential (WOCBP), defined as all women physiologically capable of becoming pregnant, must use highly effective contraception during the study and through at least 3 weeks after the final dose of abemaciclib. Highly effective contraception is defined as:

    i. Total abstinence: When this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject. [Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, postovulation methods) and withdrawal are not acceptable methods of contraception].

ii. Female sterilization: have had surgical bilateral oophorectomy (with or without hysterectomy) or tubal ligation at least six weeks before taking study treatment.

iii. Male partner sterilization (with the appropriate post-vasectomy documentation of the absence of sperm in the ejaculate). [For female study subjects, the vasectomized male partner should be the sole partner for that patient.] iv. Use a combination of the following (both 1+2):

1. Placement of an intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS) 2. Barrier methods of contraception: Condom or Occlusive cap (diaphragm or cervical/vault caps) with spermicidal foam/gel/film/cream/vaginal suppository.

v. Note: Hormonal contraception methods (e.g. oral, injected, and implanted) are not allowed as abemaciclib may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.

vi. Note: Women are considered and not of child-bearing potential if they have had 12 months of natural (spontaneous) amenorrhea with an appropriate clinical profile (e.g. age appropriate, history of vasomotor symptoms) or have had surgical bilateral oophorectomy (with or without hysterectomy) at least six weeks ago.

11. Prisoners or subjects who are compulsorily detained (involuntarily incarcerated) for treatment of either a psychiatric or physical (e.g., infectious) illness.

Terms in these criteria, in plain language(23)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Measurable disease

The amount of disease can be tracked with a defined measurement, so the study can see whether it shrinks or grows. It might be a tumour measured on a scan or, in some blood cancers such as myeloma, a marker measured in blood or urine.

The criteria or the study team say which measurement counts — having no tumour visible on a scan does not by itself rule you out.

RECIST

The standard rules for measuring tumours on CT or MRI scans, to tell whether a cancer is shrinking, stable or growing during treatment.

“Measurable disease per RECIST 1.1” usually means at least one tumour 10 mm or more at its longest on a CT scan, or a lymph node 15 mm or more across its short axis.

ECOG performance status

A scale of how much an illness limits everyday activity. For people being assessed to join a study, scores run from 0 (fully active) to 4; lower is more active.

0
Fully active, no restrictions.
1
Limited in strenuous activity, but walking and able to do light work, such as housework or office work.
2
Walking and able to look after yourself, but unable to work; up and about more than half of waking hours.
3
Able to look after yourself only in part; in bed or a chair more than half of waking hours.
4
Unable to look after yourself at all; in bed or a chair all day.

Studies most often ask for 0–1 or 0–2. Your doctor gives the score; the WHO scale uses the same steps. The full scale also has 5, which records death.

Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)

The number of neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight infection, in a given amount of blood. Too few raises the risk of infection.

It is a count, not a percentage of the white cells. Limits are written in units that mean the same: ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L is ≥ 1,500 per mm³ (µL). Each lab has its own reference range.

Platelets

Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.

Hemoglobin (Hb)

The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low level is anaemia, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. Measured in g/dL or g/L (9 g/dL is 90 g/L).

Bilirubin

A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.

Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.

ULN (upper limit of normal)

The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.

“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.

ALT and AST (liver enzymes)

Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.

Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

Biopsy and archival tissue

A biopsy takes a small piece of tissue to examine. “Archival tissue” is a sample already taken, for example at diagnosis, and kept by the hospital.

Whether a stored sample will do depends on when it was taken, how much there is and what the study needs. Ask whether the study accepts your stored sample or needs a new biopsy.

Immunosuppression

A weakened immune system. It can come from an illness, such as HIV or some blood cancers, or from medicines that turn the immune system down, for example after an organ transplant or for an autoimmune disease; steroids at higher doses count.

Read whether the line is about a condition or about medicines, and which medicines and doses it means.

Corticosteroids (steroids)

Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.

Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.

Hypersensitivity

An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.

Autoimmune disease

A condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.

Immunotherapy studies often leave out active autoimmune disease, and some name exceptions, such as thyroid disease on replacement hormone. Check the exceptions this study lists.

NYHA class (heart failure)

The New York Heart Association’s four classes of how much heart failure limits physical activity.

I
No limits: ordinary activity causes no undue tiredness or breathlessness.
II
Slight limits: comfortable at rest, ordinary activity causes symptoms.
III
Marked limits: comfortable at rest, less than ordinary activity causes symptoms.
IV
Symptoms even at rest; any activity makes them worse.

Studies set their own limit — many outside heart failure leave out class III–IV, while heart failure studies may ask for a particular class. Check the class this study names.

CYP3A (CYP3A4) inhibitors and inducers

CYP3A is a group of enzymes, mainly CYP3A4, in the liver and gut that break down many medicines. Some medicines, supplements and foods (grapefruit, St John’s wort) slow them down or speed them up, which changes how much of a study drug stays in the body.

Studies list them so they can be avoided or switched; bring a list of everything you take, including supplements.

HIV

The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.

Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.

Hepatitis B tests

Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.

Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.

Hepatitis C tests

Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver. An HCV antibody test can stay positive after an infection has cleared (and is occasionally positive without one); an HCV RNA test shows whether the virus is there now.

After treatment, hepatitis C counts as cured when HCV RNA is still undetectable 12 weeks or more after the treatment ended. Studies often accept people cured this way.

Contraception

Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.

Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.

Childbearing potential

Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).

Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.

Postmenopausal

Periods have stopped for good: usually no period for 12 months in a row without another medical reason, sometimes confirmed by a blood test (FSH).

05

Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
7 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Treatment with abemaciclib

    Treatment will consist of a single neoadjuvant cycle of 10-21 days (+7 days if needed due to surgical delay). Abemaciclib will be administered from days 1-21. Abemaciclib may be continued for an additional 7 days, or up to 28 days, for delays in planned surgery. Abemaciclib 200 mg PO twice daily on Days 1-21 (+7 days).

    Drug: Abemaciclib

Interventions

  • Treatment will consist of a single neoadjuvant cycle of 10-21 days (+7 days). Abemaciclib will be administered from days 1-21. Abemaciclib may be continued for an additional 7 days, or up to 28 days, for delays in planned surgery.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Measure Quantitative Change in Tumor Size to Assess the Clinical Activity of Abemaciclib.

    To evaluate the clinical activity of abemaciclib in patients with operable, HPV-negative HNSCC as measured by quantitative change in tumor size (∆T) following 10-21 (+7) days of neoadjuvant exposure. ∆T will be measured as a continuous variable, based upon the percent change in RECIST v1.1 metrics for index lesions. Index lesions will be evaluated using the new international criteria proposed by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor (RECIST) Committee.

    Time frame: This outcome measure will be assessed at baseline and post 10-21 (+7) days of neoadjuvant exposure to abemaciclib.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Describe the Safety and Tolerability of Neoadjuvant Exposure to Abemaciclib in Accordance With NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v.5.

    To describe the safety and tolerability of neoadjuvant exposure to abemaciclib in accordance with NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v.5.

    Time frame: Two months

Other outcomes

  1. Measure Interferon Gamma (IFN-ɣ) Gene Expression Signature in Baseline and Post-treatment Tumor Biopsies.

    Evaluate baseline and pharmacodynamic biomarkers within the TME associated with ∆T, including IFN-ɣ gene expression signature in baseline and post-treatment tumor biopsies. The primary biomarker hypothesis is that abemaciclib will increase the proportion of tumors that are T-cell inflamed.

    Time frame: Two months

  2. Measure Tumor-intrinsic Genetic Biomarkers Utilizing Tumor Specimen.

    Evaluate tumor-intrinsic genetic biomarkers associated with ∆T, including somatic genetic or epigenetic alterations in CCND1, CDKN2A, and TP53 utilizing tumor specimen obtained during planned oncologic head and neck cancer surgery.

    Time frame: Two months

  3. Measure the Distribution of Tumor-infiltrating Immune Cell Subtypes and Their Activation Status, as Measured by Nanostring.

    Evaluate baseline and pharmacodynamic biomarkers within the TME associated with ∆T, including The distribution of tumor-infiltrating immune cell subtypes and their activation status, including lymphocytes and myeloid-derived stem cells, as measured by nanostring.

    Time frame: Two months

  4. Measure the Distribution of Tumor-infiltrating Immune Cell Subtypes and Their Activation Status, as Measured by Immunohistochemistry (IHC).

    Evaluate baseline and pharmacodynamic biomarkers within the TME associated with ∆T, including The distribution of tumor-infiltrating immune cell subtypes and their activation status, including lymphocytes and myeloid-derived stem cells, as measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

    Time frame: Two months

  5. Measure the Distribution of Tumor-infiltrating Immune Cell Subtypes and Their Activation Status, as Measured by Flow Cytometry.

    Evaluate baseline and pharmacodynamic biomarkers within the TME associated with ∆T, including The distribution of tumor-infiltrating immune cell subtypes and their activation status, including lymphocytes and myeloid-derived stem cells, as measured by flow cytometry.

    Time frame: Two months

  6. Measure the Distribution of Peripheral Immune Cell Subtypes and Their Activation Status

    To evaluate the distribution of peripheral immune cell subtypes and their activation status, and how this is altered by abemaciclib.

    Time frame: Two months

  7. Measure How Serum Th1 and Th2 Cytokine Profiles Are Altered by Abemaciclib.

    To evaluate serum Th1 and Th2 cytokine profiles, and how they are altered by abemaciclib.

    Time frame: Two months

  8. Measure Tumor-intrinsic Molecular Mediators of Response and Resistance to Abemaciclib.

    Evaluate tumor-intrinsic molecular mediators of response and resistance to abemaciclib in baseline and post-treatment tumor biopsies, including expression of CDKN2A (p16), CCND1 (cyclin D1), and retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (pRB) retinoblastoma.

    Time frame: Two months

  9. Measure Change in the Proliferative Index (∆Ki67) in Pre- and Post-treatment Tumor Specimens.

    Evaluate the anti-proliferative activity of abemaciclib as measured by change in the proliferative index (∆Ki67) in pre- and post-treatment tumor specimens.

    Time frame: Two months

  10. Describe Features of the Oral and Intestinal Microbiomes That Are Associated With the Clinical Activity of Abemaciclib.

    To describe features of the oral and intestinal microbiomes that are associated with the clinical activity of abemaciclib.

    Time frame: Two months

07

Results

Posted May 22, 2026
Limitations and caveats
Given early termination (n=4 evaluable for efficacy; n=7 for baseline and safety, vs. planned n=14), all analyses are descriptive and exploratory in nature.

Participant flow

The recruitment period was 06/16/2021-08/29/2025. The first patient was enrolled 07/07/2021. The last patient was enrolled 12/02/2024. Patients were recruited from the investigators' current clinical practice at University of Arizona Cancer Center and George Washington Cancer Center. The study was closed prematurely due to a change in standard of care for this patient population that was FDA approved June 2025.

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneTreatment With Abemaciclib
Started7
Completed4
Not completed3
Withdrew: Adverse event1
Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject2

Outcome measures

PrimaryMeasure Quantitative Change in Tumor Size to Assess the Clinical Activity of Abemaciclib.

To evaluate the clinical activity of abemaciclib in patients with operable, HPV-negative HNSCC as measured by quantitative change in tumor size (∆T) following 10-21 (+7) days of neoadjuvant exposure. ∆T will be measured as a continuous variable, based upon the percent change in RECIST v1.1 metrics for index lesions. Index lesions will be evaluated using the new international criteria proposed by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor (RECIST) Committee.

Time frame:
This outcome measure will be assessed at baseline and post 10-21 (+7) days of neoadjuvant exposure to abemaciclib.
Reported as:
Mean · % change
Measure Quantitative Change in Tumor Size to Assess the Clinical Activity of Abemaciclib.
% changeTreatment With Abemaciclib
Measure Quantitative Change in Tumor Size to Assess the Clinical Activity of Abemaciclib.-0.01 ± 0.16
SecondaryDescribe the Safety and Tolerability of Neoadjuvant Exposure to Abemaciclib in Accordance With NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v.5.

To describe the safety and tolerability of neoadjuvant exposure to abemaciclib in accordance with NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v.5.

Time frame:
Two months
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Describe the Safety and Tolerability of Neoadjuvant Exposure to Abemaciclib in Accordance With NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v.5.
ParticipantsTreatment With Abemaciclib
Patients with any AE of grade ≥ 32
Patients with any serious AE2
Patients with any AE possibly attributed to abemaciclib2
Other pre-specifiedMeasure Interferon Gamma (IFN-ɣ) Gene Expression Signature in Baseline and Post-treatment Tumor Biopsies.

Evaluate baseline and pharmacodynamic biomarkers within the TME associated with ∆T, including IFN-ɣ gene expression signature in baseline and post-treatment tumor biopsies. The primary biomarker hypothesis is that abemaciclib will increase the proportion of tumors that are T-cell inflamed.

Time frame:
Two months

Results for this outcome have not been posted.

Other pre-specifiedMeasure Tumor-intrinsic Genetic Biomarkers Utilizing Tumor Specimen.

Evaluate tumor-intrinsic genetic biomarkers associated with ∆T, including somatic genetic or epigenetic alterations in CCND1, CDKN2A, and TP53 utilizing tumor specimen obtained during planned oncologic head and neck cancer surgery.

Time frame:
Two months

Results for this outcome have not been posted.

Other pre-specifiedMeasure the Distribution of Tumor-infiltrating Immune Cell Subtypes and Their Activation Status, as Measured by Nanostring.

Evaluate baseline and pharmacodynamic biomarkers within the TME associated with ∆T, including The distribution of tumor-infiltrating immune cell subtypes and their activation status, including lymphocytes and myeloid-derived stem cells, as measured by nanostring.

Time frame:
Two months

Results for this outcome have not been posted.

Other pre-specifiedMeasure the Distribution of Tumor-infiltrating Immune Cell Subtypes and Their Activation Status, as Measured by Immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Evaluate baseline and pharmacodynamic biomarkers within the TME associated with ∆T, including The distribution of tumor-infiltrating immune cell subtypes and their activation status, including lymphocytes and myeloid-derived stem cells, as measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Time frame:
Two months

Results for this outcome have not been posted.

Other pre-specifiedMeasure the Distribution of Tumor-infiltrating Immune Cell Subtypes and Their Activation Status, as Measured by Flow Cytometry.

Evaluate baseline and pharmacodynamic biomarkers within the TME associated with ∆T, including The distribution of tumor-infiltrating immune cell subtypes and their activation status, including lymphocytes and myeloid-derived stem cells, as measured by flow cytometry.

Time frame:
Two months

Results for this outcome have not been posted.

Other pre-specifiedMeasure the Distribution of Peripheral Immune Cell Subtypes and Their Activation Status

To evaluate the distribution of peripheral immune cell subtypes and their activation status, and how this is altered by abemaciclib.

Time frame:
Two months

Results for this outcome have not been posted.

Other pre-specifiedMeasure How Serum Th1 and Th2 Cytokine Profiles Are Altered by Abemaciclib.

To evaluate serum Th1 and Th2 cytokine profiles, and how they are altered by abemaciclib.

Time frame:
Two months

Results for this outcome have not been posted.

Other pre-specifiedMeasure Tumor-intrinsic Molecular Mediators of Response and Resistance to Abemaciclib.

Evaluate tumor-intrinsic molecular mediators of response and resistance to abemaciclib in baseline and post-treatment tumor biopsies, including expression of CDKN2A (p16), CCND1 (cyclin D1), and retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (pRB) retinoblastoma.

Time frame:
Two months

Results for this outcome have not been posted.

Other pre-specifiedMeasure Change in the Proliferative Index (∆Ki67) in Pre- and Post-treatment Tumor Specimens.

Evaluate the anti-proliferative activity of abemaciclib as measured by change in the proliferative index (∆Ki67) in pre- and post-treatment tumor specimens.

Time frame:
Two months

Results for this outcome have not been posted.

Other pre-specifiedDescribe Features of the Oral and Intestinal Microbiomes That Are Associated With the Clinical Activity of Abemaciclib.

To describe features of the oral and intestinal microbiomes that are associated with the clinical activity of abemaciclib.

Time frame:
Two months

Results for this outcome have not been posted.

Adverse events

Collected over Adverse event data was collected for each patient from the start of study drug to 4 weeks (+/- 1 week) after the last dose of study drug. For patients who completed the study this ranges from 10 days + 4 weeks (+/- 1 week) to 28 days + 4 weeks (+/1 week).. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Treatment With Abemaciclib0/7 (0%)2/7 (28.6%)6/7 (85.7%)
Most frequent serious events
Most frequent serious events
EventTreatment With Abemaciclib
Myocardial InfarctionCardiac disorders1/7
Surgical and medical procedures - Other, specify - flap graft failureSurgical and medical procedures1/7
Thromboembolic eventVascular disorders1/7
Skin infectionInfections and infestations1/7
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventTreatment With Abemaciclib
DiarrheaGastrointestinal disorders4/7
Oral MucositisGastrointestinal disorders1/7
FatigueGeneral disorders1/7
AnemiaBlood and lymphatic system disorders1/7
AnorexiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders1/7
DysphagiaGastrointestinal disorders1/7

Baseline characteristics

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(Years)Treatment With Abemaciclib
Mean64 ± 10
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Treatment With Abemaciclib
Female2
Male5
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)(Participants)Treatment With Abemaciclib
Hispanic or Latino1
Not Hispanic or Latino6
Unknown or Not Reported0
Race (NIH/OMB)
Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants)Treatment With Abemaciclib
American Indian or Alaska Native0
Asian1
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander0
Black or African American1
White5
More than one race0
Unknown or Not Reported0
Primary site
Primary site(Participants)Treatment With Abemaciclib
Oral Cavity7
Hypopharynx0
larynx0
p16 negative oropharynx0
p16 Status
p16 Status(Participants)Treatment With Abemaciclib
p16 negative6
Unknown1
Baseline Tumor Size
Baseline Tumor Size(cm)Treatment With Abemaciclib
Mean3.5 ± 1.6
Smoked >100 cigarettes in lifetime
Smoked >100 cigarettes in lifetime(Participants)Treatment With Abemaciclib
Count of participants5

2 further baseline measures are reported on the registry.

08

Study locations

2 sites
  • University of Arizona
    Tucson, Arizona 85719, United States
  • George Washington Cancer Center
    Washington D.C., District of Columbia 20037, United States
09

References and documents

Study documents

PDFs hosted by the registry, ClinicalTrials.gov.

10

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on May 22, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
11

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04169074
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Nov 19, 2019
Start date
Jul 7, 2021
Primary completion
Dec 16, 2024
Completion
Jan 13, 2025
Results posted
May 22, 2026
Last update
May 22, 2026

Study contacts

Ricklie Julian, MD
principal investigator · University of Arizona

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is terminated, as verified in May 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

Follow this study

Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.

Sign in to follow

Discussion

Questions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.

Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.

Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.

Studies of the drug tested here: Abemaciclib

Start the discussion