A Phase 1/2 interventional study of Amivantamab and Pembrolizumab in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck, sponsored by Janssen Research & Development, LLC. Recruiting at 56 sites in 11 countries. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-03.
Sponsored by Janssen Research & Development, LLC (part of Johnson & Johnson) · Phase 1/2, Interventional, and Treatment
The purpose of this study is to determine safety and preliminary efficacy of amivantamab monotherapy, amivantamab in addition to pembrolizumab, amivantamab in addition to paclitaxel and amivantamab in addition to pembrolizumab and carboplatin in participants with recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer. The study will also confirm the recommended Phase 2 combination dose (RP2CD) for amivantamab in addition to paclitaxel. The safety and preliminary efficacy of amivantamab in addition to pembrolizumab will also be determined in perioperative (before and after surgery) setting in participants with resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
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 planned enrollment of 287 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 →Janssen Research & Development, LLC is the lead sponsor of 932 studies on the registry; 76 are open to participants now.
Of its 285 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 136 (48%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
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.
Participants should have: a) >=9 grams per deciliter (g/dL); b) Neutrophils >=1.5 x 10\^3/mcg; c) Platelets >=100 x 10\^3/mcg
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.
Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.
A line of therapy is one course of treatment, which may combine several drugs. First-line is the first course given; second-line follows when that stops working or is not tolerated.
“Two prior lines” means two courses that count separately under the study’s rules — not simply two drugs. Ask the study team if you are unsure how yours are counted.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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).
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.
Cancer that has spread to the leptomeninges, the thin layers covering the brain and spinal cord, and the fluid between them. It is not the same as brain metastases.
Criteria often treat it separately, and many studies leave it out even where treated brain metastases are allowed.
Judged by the study doctor to matter for your health or for the study. It is a doctor’s decision, so ask the study team if you are unsure whether something counts.
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
A planned gap after a treatment, so that its effects can lessen before the study treatment or a study assessment. Ask the study team and the doctor who prescribed it before changing any medicine.
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.
Metastases
Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Line of therapy
A line of therapy is one course of treatment, which may combine several drugs. First-line is the first course given; second-line follows when that stops working or is not tolerated.
“Two prior lines” means two courses that count separately under the study’s rules — not simply two drugs. Ask the study team if you are unsure how yours are counted.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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).
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.
Leptomeningeal disease
Cancer that has spread to the leptomeninges, the thin layers covering the brain and spinal cord, and the fluid between them. It is not the same as brain metastases.
Criteria often treat it separately, and many studies leave it out even where treated brain metastases are allowed.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Clinically significant
Judged by the study doctor to matter for your health or for the study. It is a doctor’s decision, so ask the study team if you are unsure whether something counts.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Investigational drug or device
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Washout period
A planned gap after a treatment, so that its effects can lessen before the study treatment or a study assessment. Ask the study team and the doctor who prescribed it before changing any medicine.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants will receive subcutaneous injection of amivantamab monotherapy 1600 milligrams (mg) (2240 mg, if body weight \>=80 kilograms \[kg\]) on Cycle 1 Day 1 and 2400 mg (3360 mg, if body weight \>=80 kg) once every week (q1w) for the remainder of Cycle 1 (Days 8 and 15), and every 3 weeks (q3w) from Cycle 2 onwards.
Biological: Amivantamab
Participants will receive subcutaneous injection of amivantamab 1600 mg (2240 mg, if body weight \>=80 kg) on Cycle 1 Day 1 and 2400 mg (3360 mg, if body weight \>=80 kg) q1w for the remainder of Cycle 1 (Days 8 and 15), and q3w from Cycle 2 onwards, along with intravenous (IV) injection of pembrolizumab 200 mg q3w (on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle).
Biological: Amivantamab · Biological: Pembrolizumab
Participants will receive subcutaneous injection of amivantamab 1600 mg (2240 mg, if body weight \>=80 kg) on Cycle 1 Day 1 and 2400 mg (3360 mg, if body weight \>=80 kg) q1w for the remainder of Cycle 1 (Days 8 and 15), and q3w from Cycle 2 onwards, along with intravenous injection of paclitaxel 175 mg/m\^2 q3w (on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle) in dose confirmation Cohort 3A. The recommended Phase 2 combination dose (RP2CD) of amivantamab will be determined in conjunction with study evaluation team (SET) in this dose confirmation Cohort 3A.
Biological: Amivantamab · Drug: Paclitaxel
Participants will receive subcutaneous injection of amivantamab at the determined RP2CD in addition to intravenous injection of paclitaxel 175 mg/m\^2 q3w (on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle) as confirmed by SET in Cohort 3A.
Biological: Amivantamab · Drug: Paclitaxel
Participants will receive subcutaneous injection of amivantamab monotherapy 1600 mg (2240 mg, if body weight \>=80 kg) on Cycle 1 Day 1 and 2400 mg (3360 mg, if body weight \>=80 kg) q1w for the remainder of Cycle 1 (Days 8 and 15), and q3w from Cycle 2 onwards.
Biological: Amivantamab
Participants will receive subcutaneous injection of amivantamab 1600 mg (2240 mg, if body weight \>=80 kg) on Cycle 1 Day 1 and 2400 mg (3360 mg, if body weight \>=80 kg) q1w for the remainder of Cycle 1 (Days 8 and 15), and q3w from Cycle 2 onwards in addition to intravenous injection of pembrolizumab 200 mg on Day 1 of each cycle, and carboplatin (area under the concentration-time curve \[AUC\] 5 milligram per milliliter \[mg/ml\]\*min) q3w on Day 1 of Cycles 1-6.
Biological: Amivantamab · Biological: Pembrolizumab · Drug: Carboplatin
Participants will receive subcutaneous injection of amivantamab 1600 mg (2240 mg, if body weight \>=80 kg) on Cycle 1 Day 1 and 2400 mg (3360 mg, if body weight \>=80 kg) q1w for the remainder of Cycle 1 (Days 8 and 15), and q3w from Cycle 2, along with intravenous injection of pembrolizumab 200 mg q3w (on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle) (Neoadjuvant Phase). In the adjuvant phase, pembrolizumab IV (200 mg) will be administered q3w from Adjuvant Cycle 1 Day 1 to Adjuvant Cycle 15 Day 1 and amivantamab SC 2,400 mg (3,360 mg for \>80 kg) will be administered q3w from Adjuvant Cycle 4 Day 1 to Adjuvant Cycle 15 Day 1.
Biological: Amivantamab · Biological: Pembrolizumab
Amivantamab will be administered subcutaneously.
Also known as: JNJ-61186372
Pembrolizumab will be administered intravenously.
Also known as: KEYTRUDA
Paclitaxel will be administered intravenously.
Also known as: TAXOL
Carboplatin will be administered intravenously.
Also known as: PARAPLATIN
Cohorts 1, 2, 3B, 4 and 5: Objective Response Rate
ORR is defined as the proportion of participants who achieve either a partial response (PR) or complete response (CR), as defined by investigator assessment using Response Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1.
Time frame: 2 years and 2 months
Cohort 3A: Number of Participants With Dose-limiting Toxicities (DLT)
Number of participants with DLTs will be reported. A DLT is defined as any of the following: treatment delay of greater than (\>) 28 days due to unresolved toxicity, non-hematologic toxicity of Grade 3 or higher, hematologic toxicity of Grade 4 neutropenia persisting for \>7 days or Grade 3 or higher thrombocytopenia with clinically significant bleeding or neutropenic fever of any grade, and liver enzyme elevation.
Time frame: Up to 21 days
Cohort 3A: Number of Participants With Treatment-emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) as a Measure of Severity
An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a participant participating in a clinical study that does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the pharmaceutical/ biological agent under study. TEAEs are defined as AEs with onset or worsening on or after date of first dose of study treatment. Severity of TEAEs will be graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE) version 5.0. Severity scale ranges from Grade 1 (mild) to Grade 5 (death). Grade 1= mild, Grade 2= moderate, Grade 3= severe, Grade 4= life-threatening, and Grade 5= death related to adverse event.
Time frame: 2 years and 1 month
Cohort 6: Major Pathologic Response (MPR)
The participants who achieve MPR at the time of surgery.
Time frame: 2 years and 2 months
Cohorts 1, 2, 3B, 4 and 5: Duration of Response (DoR)
DoR is defined as the time from the date of first documented response (PR or CR) until the date of documented progression or death, whichever comes first, for participants who have PR or CR.
Time frame: 2 years and 2 months
Cohorts 1, 2, 3B, 4 and 5: Clinical Benefit Rate (CBR)
CBR is defined as the percentage of participants achieving a confirmed complete or partial response, or durable stable disease (the second disease assessment) as defined by RECIST version 1.1.
Time frame: 2 years and 2 months
Cohorts 1, 2, 3B, 4 and 5: Progression-free Survival (PFS)
PFS is defined as the time from the first administration of study treatment until the date of objective disease progression or death, whichever comes first, based on investigator assessment using RECIST version 1.1.
Time frame: 2 years and 2 months
Cohorts 1, 2, 3B, 4, 5 and 6: Overall Survival (OS)
OS is defined as the time from the first administration of study treatment until the date of death due to any cause.
Time frame: 2 years and 2 months
Cohorts 1, 2, 3B, 4, 5 and 6: Number of Participants With Treatment-emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) as a Measure of Severity
An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a participant participating in a clinical study that does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the pharmaceutical/ biological agent under study. TEAEs are defined as AEs with onset or worsening on or after date of first dose of study treatment. Severity of TEAEs will be graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE) version 5.0. Severity scale ranges from Grade 1 (Mild) to Grade 5 (death). Grade 1= mild, Grade 2= moderate, Grade 3= severe, Grade 4= life-threatening and Grade 5= death related to adverse events.
Time frame: 2 years and 1 month
Cohort 1 and 4: Maximum Observed Serum Concentration (Cmax) of Amivantamab
Cmax is defined as maximum observed serum concentration of amivantamab.
Time frame: Predose up to 168 hours post dose on Day 1
Cohort 1 and 4: Time to Maximum Observed Serum Concentration (Tmax) of Amivantamab
Tmax is defined as time to maximum observed serum concentration of amivantamab.
Time frame: Predose up to 168 hours post dose on Day 1
Cohort 1 and 4: Area Under the Serum Concentration Curve Verses Time Curve From Time t1 to t2 (AUC[t1-t2]) of Amivantamab
AUC(t1-t2) is defined as area under the serum concentration versus time curve from time t1 to time t2 of amivantamab.
Time frame: Predose up to 168 hours post dose on Day 1
Cohort 1 and 4: Area Under the Curve From Time Zero to tau (AUC[0-tau]) of Amivantamab
AUC(0-tau) is defined as area under the curve from time 0 to tau hours of amivantamab.
Time frame: Predose up to 168 hours post dose on Day 1
Cohort 1 and 4: Trough Serum Concentration (Ctrough) of Amivantamab
Ctrough is defined as the serum concentration of amivantamab.
Time frame: Predose up to 168 hours post dose on Day 1
Cohort 1 and 4: Accumulation Ratio (R) of Amivantamab
Accumulation ratio (R) is calculated as area under the serum concentration-time curve from time zero to 168 hours (AUC\[0-168\]) value at Cycle 2 Day 1 dose divided by AUC(0-168) value after Cycle 1 Day 1 amivantamab dose.
Time frame: Predose up to 168 hours post dose on Day 1
Cohort 6: Event-Free Survival (EFS)
EFS is defined as the time from the first administration of study treatment until the date of radiographic disease progression, local or distant progression or recurrence as assessed with imaging or biopsy as indicated, or death due to any cause.
Time frame: 2 years and 2 months
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Plan to share: Yes — The data sharing policy of Johnson \& Johnson Innovative Medicine is available at innovativemedicine.jnj.com/our-innovation/clinical-trials/transparency. As noted on this site, requests for access to the study data can be submitted through Yale Open Data Access (YODA) Project site at yoda.yale.edu
Data sharing details ↗ · innovativemedicine.jnj.com
Started Apr 2024 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Dec 2032, 104 months after the start.
Of 93 industry-sponsored phase 1/2 interventional studies under Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck, half reached primary completion within 60 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 44 and three quarters within 78. This study's planned 104 months is above that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 138 studies reached it within 61 months; a quarter within 47 and three quarters within 82.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
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 drug tested here: Amivantamab
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