Status:

RECRUITING

FORTIFI-HN01: A Study of Ficerafusp Alfa (BCA101) or Placebo in Combination With Pembrolizumab in First-Line PD-L1-pos, R or M HNSCC

Lead Sponsor:

Bicara Therapeutics

Conditions:

Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Eligibility:

All Genders

18+ years

Phase:

PHASE2

PHASE3

Brief Summary

Ficerafusp alfa is directed against two targets, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGF-β). This study intends to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ficeraf...

Detailed Description

The mechanism of action of ficerafusp alfa involves dual targeting of two cancer targets, EGFR and TGF-β, which are known to drive solid tumor growth and metastasis. Phase 2 of the study will identif...

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  • Age ≥18 years on the day the Informed Consent Form is signed.
  • Histologically or cytologically confirmed R or M HNSCC. Eligible primary tumor locations are oral cavity, hypopharynx, larynx or oropharynx (with documented HPV-negative disease if presenting with OPSCC). Note: primary tumor location of paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx, any histology are excluded.
  • No prior systemic therapy administered in the R or M setting; and completed systemic therapy \>6 months prior if given as part of multimodal treatment for locoregionally advanced disease in the adjuvant or definitive setting.
  • Archival tumor tissue or willing to undergo pretreatment biopsy at Screening if archival tissue is insufficient or unavailable.
  • PD-L1 CPS ≥1.
  • Measurable disease based on RECIST 1.1.
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1.
  • Adequate organ function, as defined in the protocol.

Exclusion

  • Disease suitable for local therapy administered with curative intent.
  • Prior treatment with anti-TGFβ therapy.
  • Prior therapy with an anti-EGFR antibody (exception: radio sensitizing agents and multimodal treatment for locoregionally advanced disease).
  • Prior history of Grade ≥2 intolerance or hypersensitivity reaction to anti-EGFR therapy or other murine proteins.
  • Prior therapy with an immune checkpoint inhibitor completed within 6 months prior to study treatment initiation.
  • Progressive disease \<6 months from completion of curative intent systemic therapy for locoregionally advanced HNSCC.
  • Life expectancy less than 3 months.
  • Known active central nervous system metastases, history of spinal cord compression from tumor involvement, a history of carcinomatous meningitis, or leptomeningeal disease are excluded.
  • Current active major bleeding, or a recent major bleeding episode within 4 weeks prior to enrollment.
  • Subject participated in another clinical study or received treatment with another investigational drug must wait at least 5 half-lives of the treatment received or 4 weeks (whichever is shorter) following prior therapy.
  • Active autoimmune disease requiring systemic treatment in the past 2 years.
  • Subjects with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with active disease who meet the criteria for anti-HBV therapy and are not on a suppressive antiviral therapy prior to initiation of study treatment.
  • Subjects with a known history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) who have not completed curative antiviral treatment or have an HCV viral load above the limit of quantification at Screening.
  • Known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  • Receipt of any organ transplantation, including autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation, with the exception of transplants that do not require immunosuppression.
  • Known to be diagnosed and/or treated for any other additional malignancy within 2 years prior to randomization with the exception of the following: curatively treated basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, and curatively resected in situ cervical cancer, and curatively resected in situ breast cancer, and low-risk early stage prostate cancer.
  • Any condition requiring systemic treatment with either corticosteroids (\>10 mg daily of prednisone or equivalent) or other immunosuppressive medication within 7 days prior to the first dose of study treatment, except for topical, intranasal, intrabronchial, or ocular steroids.
  • Use of a live or live attenuated vaccine within 4 weeks prior to Screening.
  • Other Inclusion/Exclusion criteria may apply as defined in the protocol.

Key Trial Info

Start Date :

January 28 2025

Trial Type :

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation :

ESTIMATED

End Date :

July 1 2029

Estimated Enrollment :

650 Patients enrolled

Trial Details

Trial ID

NCT06788990

Start Date

January 28 2025

End Date

July 1 2029

Last Update

March 5 2026

Active Locations (125)

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Page 1 of 32 (125 locations)

1

Site # 0137

Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35233

2

Site #0147

Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85054

3

Site #0107

La Jolla, California, United States, 92093

4

Site #0106

Los Angeles, California, United States, 90095