A Phase 2 interventional study of Retifanlimab and INCAGN02385 in Head and Neck Cancer, sponsored by Incyte Biosciences International Sàrl. Completed at 91 sites in 14 countries. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 99 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-25.
Sponsored by Incyte Biosciences International Sàrl (part of Incyte Corporation) · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the combination of retifanlimab plus INCAGN02385 and retifanlimab plus INCAGN02385 and INCAGN02390 compared with retifanlimab alone as first-line treatment in PD-L1-positive and systemic therapy-naive recurrent/metastatic (R/M) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).
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 176 is above 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 →Incyte Biosciences International Sàrl is the lead sponsor of 10 studies on the registry; 1 is open to participants now.
Of its 6 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 5 (83%) have results posted.
First submitted after Incyte Biosciences International Sàrl became part of Incyte Corporation.
Compared within Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck, this study's primary condition as ClinicalTrials.gg classifies it; the registry's first condition term is Head and Neck Neoplasms. The counts are of registry records indexed under each term, refreshed daily. How we classify →
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.
Exclusion Criteria:
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.
The diagnosis was confirmed by looking at a sample under a microscope: tissue from a biopsy or surgery (histology), or cells from a fluid or needle sample (cytology).
Your pathology report is the document that shows this.
PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA-4 are proteins that act as brakes on the immune system. Checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab or nivolumab, block them so the immune system can attack a cancer.
PD-L1 can also be measured in a tumour sample. Some scores count stained tumour cells only (TPS); others also count certain immune cells (CPS). The study names the score and the minimum it uses.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
The study doctor’s estimate of how long someone is likely to live. Criteria use it so that people can stay in the study long enough for it to answer its question.
Cancer deposits in the brain from a cancer that started elsewhere in the body (CNS metastases include the spinal cord).
Studies differ: some leave out any brain metastases, some accept ones treated and stable for some weeks. Check what this study allows.
Histologically or cytologically confirmed
The diagnosis was confirmed by looking at a sample under a microscope: tissue from a biopsy or surgery (histology), or cells from a fluid or needle sample (cytology).
Your pathology report is the document that shows this.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
PD-1, PD-L1 and checkpoint inhibitors
PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA-4 are proteins that act as brakes on the immune system. Checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab or nivolumab, block them so the immune system can attack a cancer.
PD-L1 can also be measured in a tumour sample. Some scores count stained tumour cells only (TPS); others also count certain immune cells (CPS). The study names the score and the minimum it uses.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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.
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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Cancer (malignancy)
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Life expectancy
The study doctor’s estimate of how long someone is likely to live. Criteria use it so that people can stay in the study long enough for it to answer its question.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Brain metastases
Cancer deposits in the brain from a cancer that started elsewhere in the body (CNS metastases include the spinal cord).
Studies differ: some leave out any brain metastases, some accept ones treated and stable for some weeks. Check what this study allows.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Retifanlimab will be administered intravenously every 4 weeks. Placebos for INCAGN02385 and INCAGN02390 will be administered intravenously every 2 weeks.
Drug: Retifanlimab · Drug: Placebo
Retifanlimab will be administered intravenously every 4 weeks. INCAGN02385 and Placebo for INCAGN02390 will be administered intravenously every 2 weeks.
Drug: Retifanlimab · Drug: INCAGN02385 · Drug: Placebo
Retifanlimab plus INCAGN02385 and INCAGN02390 will be administered intravenously. Retifanlimab will be administered intravenously every 4 weeks. INCAGN02385 and INCAGN02390 will be administered every 2 weeks.
Drug: Retifanlimab · Drug: INCAGN02385 · Drug: INCAGN02390
Retifanlimab 500mg will be administered intravenously every 4 weeks.
INCAGN02385 350mg will be administered intravenously every 2 weeks.
INCAGN02390 400 mg will be administered intravenously every 2 weeks.
Placebo will be administered intravenously.
Progeression-free Survival (PFS)
PFS was defined as the time from the date of randomization to the date of the first documented progression, as determined by investigator assessment per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1), or death due to any cause, whichever occurred first.
Time frame: up to 738 days
Objective Response
Objective response was defined as having a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR), determined based on investigator assessment per RECIST v1.1, recorded post-baseline before and including the first progressive disease, and before new anticancer therapy. CR: disappearance of all target and non-target lesions and no appearance of any new lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have a reduction in the short axis to \<10 millimeters (mm). PR: complete disappearance or at least a 30% decrease in the sum of the diameters of target lesions, taking as a reference the baseline sum diameters, no new lesions, and no progression of non-target lesions.
Time frame: up to approximately 44 months
Duration of Response (DOR)
DOR was defined as the time from earliest date of disease response (CR or PR) until the earliest date of disease progression, based on investigator assessment per RECIST v1.1, or death from any cause if occurring sooner than progression.
Time frame: up to approximately 44 months
Disease Control
Disease control was defined as having CR, PR, or stable disease (SD) as best response on or after Day 180, based on investigator assessment per RECIST v1.1. CR: disappearance of all target and non-target lesions and no appearance of any new lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have a reduction in the short axis to \<10 mm. PR: complete disappearance or at least a 30% decrease in the sum of the diameters of target lesions, taking as a reference the baseline sum diameters, no new lesions, and no progression of non-target lesions. PD: progression of a target or non-target lesion or presence of a new lesion. SD: no change in target lesions to qualify for CR, PR, or PD.
Time frame: up to approximately 44 months
Overall Survival
Overall survival was defined as the time from the date of randomization to the date of death due to any cause.
Time frame: up to approximately 44 months
Number of Participants With Treatment-emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs)
Adverse events (AEs) were defined as any untoward medical occurrence associated with the use of a drug in humans, whether or not it was considered drug related. An AE could therefore be any unfavorable or unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease (new or exacerbated) temporally associated with the use of study treatment. A TEAE was defined as any AE either reported for the first time or the worsening of a pre-existing event after the first dose of study drug and within 90 days of the last administration of study drug.
Time frame: up to approximately 44 months
Number of Participants With TEAEs Leading to Treatment Interruption, Dose Delay, and Withdrawal of Study Treatment
AEs were defined as any untoward medical occurrence associated with the use of a drug in humans, whether or not it was considered drug related. An AE could therefore be any unfavorable or unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease (new or exacerbated) temporally associated with the use of study treatment. A TEAE was defined as any AE either reported for the first time or the worsening of a pre-existing event after the first dose of study drug and within 90 days of the last administration of study drug.
Time frame: up to approximately 44 months
| Milestone | Retifanlimab | Retifanlimab Plus INCAGN02385 | Retifanlimab Plus INCAGN02385 Plus INCAGN02390 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Started | 59 | 60 | 57 |
| Completed | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Not completed | 59 | 60 | 57 |
| Withdrew: Death | 22 | 23 | 28 |
| Withdrew: Lost to follow-up | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Withdrew: Ongoing | 35 | 32 | 24 |
PFS was defined as the time from the date of randomization to the date of the first documented progression, as determined by investigator assessment per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1), or death due to any cause, whichever occurred first.
| months | Retifanlimab | Retifanlimab Plus INCAGN02385 | Retifanlimab Plus INCAGN02385 Plus INCAGN02390 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progeression-free Survival (PFS) | 5.6 (3.5 to 9.7) | 5.8 (3.7 to 7.6) | 5.3 (2.1 to 7.9) |
Objective response was defined as having a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR), determined based on investigator assessment per RECIST v1.1, recorded post-baseline before and including the first progressive disease, and before new anticancer therapy. CR: disappearance of all target and non-target lesions and no appearance of any new lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have a reduction in the short axis to \<10 millimeters (mm). PR: complete disappearance or at least a 30% decrease in the sum of the diameters of target lesions, taking as a reference the baseline sum diameters, no new lesions, and no progression of non-target lesions.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
DOR was defined as the time from earliest date of disease response (CR or PR) until the earliest date of disease progression, based on investigator assessment per RECIST v1.1, or death from any cause if occurring sooner than progression.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Disease control was defined as having CR, PR, or stable disease (SD) as best response on or after Day 180, based on investigator assessment per RECIST v1.1. CR: disappearance of all target and non-target lesions and no appearance of any new lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have a reduction in the short axis to \<10 mm. PR: complete disappearance or at least a 30% decrease in the sum of the diameters of target lesions, taking as a reference the baseline sum diameters, no new lesions, and no progression of non-target lesions. PD: progression of a target or non-target lesion or presence of a new lesion. SD: no change in target lesions to qualify for CR, PR, or PD.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Overall survival was defined as the time from the date of randomization to the date of death due to any cause.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Adverse events (AEs) were defined as any untoward medical occurrence associated with the use of a drug in humans, whether or not it was considered drug related. An AE could therefore be any unfavorable or unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease (new or exacerbated) temporally associated with the use of study treatment. A TEAE was defined as any AE either reported for the first time or the worsening of a pre-existing event after the first dose of study drug and within 90 days of the last administration of study drug.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
AEs were defined as any untoward medical occurrence associated with the use of a drug in humans, whether or not it was considered drug related. An AE could therefore be any unfavorable or unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease (new or exacerbated) temporally associated with the use of study treatment. A TEAE was defined as any AE either reported for the first time or the worsening of a pre-existing event after the first dose of study drug and within 90 days of the last administration of study drug.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Collected over up to 828 days. Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.
| Group | Deaths | Serious | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retifanlimab | 22/58 (37.9%) | 24/58 (41.4%) | 52/58 (89.7%) |
| Retifanlimab Plus INCAGN02385 | 23/60 (38.3%) | 20/60 (33.3%) | 51/60 (85%) |
| Retifanlimab Plus INCAGN02385 Plus INCAGN02390 | 28/57 (49.1%) | 27/57 (47.4%) | 51/57 (89.5%) |
| Event | Retifanlimab | Retifanlimab Plus INCAGN02385 | Retifanlimab Plus INCAGN02385 Plus INCAGN02390 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PneumoniaInfections and infestations | 5/58 | 3/60 | 7/57 |
| Tumour haemorrhageNeoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | 4/58 | 2/60 | 1/57 |
| DeathGeneral disorders | 3/58 | 2/60 | 3/57 |
| SepsisInfections and infestations | 0/58 | 2/60 | 3/57 |
| CellulitisInfections and infestations | 0/58 | 1/60 | 2/57 |
| HyponatraemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders | 0/58 | 0/60 | 2/57 |
| MalnutritionMetabolism and nutrition disorders | 0/58 | 1/60 | 2/57 |
| SyncopeNervous system disorders | 0/58 | 0/60 | 2/57 |
| COVID-19Infections and infestations | 2/58 | 0/60 | 0/57 |
| Respiratory tract infectionInfections and infestations | 0/58 | 2/60 | 0/57 |
| Event | Retifanlimab | Retifanlimab Plus INCAGN02385 | Retifanlimab Plus INCAGN02385 Plus INCAGN02390 |
|---|---|---|---|
| HypothyroidismEndocrine disorders | 9/58 | 13/60 | 18/57 |
| AnaemiaBlood and lymphatic system disorders | 13/58 | 16/60 | 10/57 |
| FatigueGeneral disorders | 10/58 | 10/60 | 11/57 |
| DiarrhoeaGastrointestinal disorders | 11/58 | 9/60 | 9/57 |
| ConstipationGastrointestinal disorders | 10/58 | 3/60 | 9/57 |
| RashSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | 3/58 | 10/60 | 6/57 |
| CoughRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 9/58 | 6/60 | 6/57 |
| HyponatraemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders | 9/58 | 9/60 | 7/57 |
| NauseaGastrointestinal disorders | 9/58 | 7/60 | 5/57 |
| StomatitisGastrointestinal disorders | 9/58 | 1/60 | 3/57 |
| Age, Continuous(years) | Retifanlimab | Retifanlimab Plus INCAGN02385 | Retifanlimab Plus INCAGN02385 Plus INCAGN02390 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | 64.85 ± 9.036 | 65.48 ± 8.957 | 62.14 ± 10.199 | 64.19 ± 9.459 |
| Sex: Female, Male(Participants) | Retifanlimab | Retifanlimab Plus INCAGN02385 | Retifanlimab Plus INCAGN02385 Plus INCAGN02390 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 13 | 9 | 7 | 29 |
| Male | 46 | 51 | 50 | 147 |
| Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)(Participants) | Retifanlimab | Retifanlimab Plus INCAGN02385 | Retifanlimab Plus INCAGN02385 Plus INCAGN02390 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Not Hispanic or Latino | 54 | 57 | 51 | 162 |
| Unknown or Not Reported | 4 | 1 | 4 | 9 |
| Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants) | Retifanlimab | Retifanlimab Plus INCAGN02385 | Retifanlimab Plus INCAGN02385 Plus INCAGN02390 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Asian | 14 | 17 | 17 | 48 |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Black or African American | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| White | 40 | 40 | 34 | 114 |
| More than one race | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown or Not Reported | 4 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
PDFs hosted by the registry, ClinicalTrials.gov.
Plan to share: Yes — Incyte shares data with qualified external researchers after a research proposal is submitted. These requests are reviewed and approved by a review panel on the basis of scientific merit. All data provided is anonymized to respect the privacy of patients who have participated in the trial in line with applicable laws and regulations. The trial data availability is according to the criteria and process described on https://www.incyte.com/our-company/compliance-and-transparency
Supporting information: Study protocol, Statistical analysis plan
Time frame: Data will be shared after the primary publication or 2 years after the study has ended for market authorized products and indications.
Access criteria: Data from eligible studies will be shared with qualified researchers according to the criteria and process described in the Data Sharing section of the www.incyteclinicaltrials.com website. For approved requests, the researchers will be granted access to anonymized data under the terms of a data sharing agreement.
Data sharing details ↗ · www.incyte.com
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Studies of the drugs tested here: Tuparstobart · Verzistobart
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