A Phase 1/2 Study in Patients With HPV16+ Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Other Cancers

A Phase I/II Study of TheraT® Vector(s) Expressing Human Papillomavirus 16 Positive (HPV 16+) Specific Antigens in Patients With HPV 16+ Confirmed Cancers

This is a First in Human (FIH) Phase I/II, multinational, multicenter, open-label study of HB-201 single vector therapy and HB-201 & HB-202 two-vector therapy in patients with HPV 16+ confirmed cancers comprising two parts: Phase I Dose Escalation and Phase II Dose Expansion.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: HPV-Related Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: HB-201 intravenous administration.; Drug: HB-202 intravenous administration alternating with HB-201 intravenous administration.; Drug: HB-201 intravenous administration + standard of care regimen including pembrolizumab.; Drug: HB-202 / HB-201 alternating intravenous administration + standard of care regimen including pembrolizumab.; Drug: HB-201 or HB-201/HB-202 alternating treatment using CD8 PET Tracer (Zr-Df-IAB22M2C); Drug: HB-202 / HB-201 alternating intravenous administration + pembrolizumab.

Detailed Description

HB-201 and HB-202 are study drugs which are designed to train the body to recognize and fight substances found in HPV 16+ cancer. This trial studies the safety and anti-cancer effect of HB-201 and HB-202 in people.

The trial is enrolling patients with metastatic/recurrent head and neck cancer who have not yet received treatment in this setting (1L, first line) and who are eligible to receive pembrolizumab as part of their standard of care. This trial is also enrolling patients with metastatic/recurrent head and neck who have received prior treatment in this setting (2L+, second and later line) who are eligible to receive pembrolizumab as part of their standard of care. Patients will receive the study drugs in addition to their pembrolizumab standard of care regimen.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 198
• Phase: Phase 2; Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Netherlands
  • Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1081
    • Amsterdam UMC, Locatie VUMC
• Spain
  • Barcelona, Spain, 08036
    • Hospital Clinic De Barcelona
  • Barcelona, Spain, 08035
    • Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebrón
  • Barcelona, Spain, 8041
    • Hospital De La Santa Creu I Sant Pau
  • Madrid, Spain, 28040
    • Hospital Universitario Fundacion Jimenez Diaz
  • Madrid, Spain, 28050
    • Centro Integral Oncologico Clara Campal
  • Seville, Spain, 41013
    • Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio
  • Seville, Spain, 410009
    • Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena
• United States
  • Alabama
    • Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35294
      • O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB
  • Arizona
    • Gilbert, Arizona, United States, 85234
      • Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • Arkansas
    • Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States, 72205
      • University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Cancer Institute, Clinical Trials Office
  • California
    • Los Angeles, California, United States, 90033
      • USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
    • Los Angeles, California, United States, 90095
      • UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles)
  • Florida
    • Miami, Florida, United States, 33136
      • Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Illinois
    • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60637
      • University of Chicago Medical Center
    • Maywood, Illinois, United States, 60153
      • Loyola University Medical School
  • Iowa
    • Iowa City, Iowa, United States, 52242
      • University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
  • Kansas
    • Fairway, Kansas, United States, 66205
      • University of Kansas Medical Center
  • Michigan
    • Detroit, Michigan, United States, 48202
      • Henry Ford Hospital
  • Missouri
    • St Louis, Missouri, United States, 63110
      • Washington University School of Medicine
  • Nebraska
    • Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68114
      • Nebraska Methodist Hospital
  • New Jersey
    • New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States, 08903
      • Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
  • New York
    • New York, New York, United States, 10029
      • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
    • New York, New York, United States, 10021
      • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
    • New York, New York, United States, 10016
      • Grossman School of Medicine
    • New York, New York, United States, 11501
      • Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island
    • The Bronx, New York, United States, 10461
      • Montefiore-Einstein Center for Cancer Care
  • Ohio
    • Cleveland, Ohio, United States, 44195
      • Cleveland Clinic
  • Oklahoma
    • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, 73104
      • University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
  • Oregon
    • Portland, Oregon, United States, 97213
      • Providence Portland Medical Center
  • South Carolina
    • Greenville, South Carolina, United States, 29605
      • Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center (ITOR)
  • Texas
    • Houston, Texas, United States, 77030
      • The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • Virginia
    • Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, 22908
      • University of Virgina Health System
  • Wisconsin
    • Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, 53226
      • Froedtert Hospital and Medical College of Wisconsin

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria

All Patients:

• Documentation of confirmed HPV 16+ cancer via genotype testing.
• ≥ 1 measurable lesion by imaging for tumor response following RECIST
• ECOG performance status of 0 to 1.
• Prior curative radiation therapy and prior focal palliative completed per protocol-specified wash-out windows.
• Screening laboratory values must meet protocol-specified criteria.
• Able to provide tumor tissue following last treatment, unless otherwise agreed.

Treatment Group E or Group F:

• Documentation of confirmed head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
• Eligible to receive pembrolizumab, per standard of care and product label.
• Group E: this group includes first line / 1L patients who have not yet received treatment in the metastatic/recurrent setting.
• Group F: Tumor progression or recurrence on standard of care therapy, including ≥1 systemic therapy.

Imaging Sub-Study (for specific participants at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center only):

• Meeting requirements of inclusion criteria for Treatment Group 1 or Group 3.
• At least 1 non-irradiated measurable lesion documented through imaging.

Exclusion Criteria:

All patients:

• Metastatic central nervous system disease, and/or carcinomatous meningitis.
• Any serious or uncontrolled medical disorder that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may increase the risk associated with study participation / treatment administration.
• Concurrent malignancy that is clinically significant or requires active intervention, unless protocol-defined criteria are met.
• Active, known or suspected, autoimmune or inflammatory disorders requiring immunosuppressive therapy.
• Has a life expectancy of less than 3 months.
• Any toxicities attributed to systemic prior anticancer therapy o that have not resolved to Grade 1 or baseline prior to the first administration of study drug, unless protocol-defined criteria is met.
• Not meeting the protocol-specified washout periods for prohibited medications.
• Prior anaphylactic reaction to or known allergy or hypersensitivity to investigational product(s) or any of the excipients of the investigational product(s).
• Positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody, indicating acute or chronic infection.
• Known history of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

For patients in Groups E or F and certain backfill cohorts:

• History of severe hypersensitivity reaction to or other contraindication to receiving pembrolizumab.
• History of/Presently having non-infectious pneumonitis requiring treatment.
• Was discontinued due to a Grade 3 or higher immune-related AE (irAE) after receiving prior therapy with check point inhibitors.

Imaging Sub-Study (for specific participants at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center only):

• Having splenic disorders or prior splenectomy, and can compromise protocol objectives per Investigator and/or Sponsor.
• Meeting requirements of exclusion criteria for Treatment Group 3

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Sequential Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

6

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Ph II, Group B; Patients with HPV 16+ HNSCC who are eligible to receive immune checkpoint inhibitor as part of standard of care.	Drug: HB-201 intravenous administration + standard of care regimen including pembrolizumab.; Dose Expansion
Experimental: Ph I, sub-study; Patients with HPV 16+ HNSCC who had tumor progression or recurrence on standard of care therapy	Drug: HB-201 or HB-201/HB-202 alternating treatment using CD8 PET Tracer (Zr-Df-IAB22M2C); Dose escalation; 10 patients
Experimental: Ph I, Group 1 and Group 2; Patients with HPV 16+ HNSCC or Non-HNSCC who had tumor progression or recurrence on standard of care therapy.	Drug: HB-201 intravenous administration.; Dose / Schedule determined by 3+3 dose escalation (3 to 6 patients per cohort).
Experimental: Ph I, Group 3 and Group 4; Patients with HPV 16+ HNSCC or Non-HNSCC who had tumor progression or recurrence on standard of care therapy.	Drug: HB-202 intravenous administration alternating with HB-201 intravenous administration.; Dose / Schedule determined by 3+3 dose escalation (3 to 6 patients per cohort).
Experimental: Ph II, Group E; Patients with HPV 16+ HNSCC who are eligible to receive pembrolizumab as part of 1L standard of care.	Drug: HB-202 / HB-201 alternating intravenous administration + standard of care regimen including pembrolizumab.; Dose Expansion
Experimental: Ph II, Group F; Patients with HPV 16+ cancers who had tumor progression or recurrence on standard of care therapy and who are eligible to receive pembrolizumab as part of 2L+ standard of care..	Drug: HB-202 / HB-201 alternating intravenous administration + pembrolizumab.; Dose Expansion

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Phase I Dose Escalation: Determine Phase II dose based on incidence of dose-limiting toxicities.	Determine the recommended Phase II dose in terms of safety and tolerability for intravenously administered HB-201, and intravenously administered HB-202 by assessing drug limiting toxicities.	From dosing until 21-28 days after first dose
Phase II Dose Expansion: Number of participants with preliminary antitumor activity based on objective response rate.	Assess the preliminary antitumor activity of dosage regimens of HB-201 and HB-202 using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) to determine objective response rate (ORR).	Until progression, (estimated up to 30-months)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Phase I Dose Escalation: Number of participants with adverse events (type, frequency, severity).	Assess the safety and tolerability of dosage regimens of HB-201 and HB-202 by monitoring the type, frequency, and severity of AEs and SAEs by monitoring the type, frequency, and severity of AEs and SAEs.	From informed consent through 30 days after last dose.
Phase I Dose Escalation: Number of participants with preliminary antitumor activity based on objective response rate and disease control rate.	Assess the preliminary antitumor activity of dosage regimens of HB-201 and HB-202 using RECIST and iRECIST	Until progression, (estimated up to 30-months)
Phase II Dose Expansion: Number of participants with confirmed duration of preliminary antitumor activity.	Confirm duration of preliminary antitumor activity of dosage regimens of HB-201 and HB-202 alone of in combination with pembrolizumab, using RECIST and iRECIST	Up to 30-months (until progression)
Phase II Dose Expansion: Number of participants with adverse events (type, frequency, severity).	Assess the safety and tolerability of dosage regimens of HB-201 and HB-202 alone or in combination with pembrolizumab by monitoring the type, frequency, and severity of AEs and SAEs.	From informed consent through 30 days after last dose

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Hookipa Biotech GmbH
• Investigators: Study Director: Head of Clinical Development, Hookipa Biotech GmbH

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): December 11, 2019
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 9, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): January 9, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 20, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 25, 2019
• First Posted (Actual): November 27, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): September 15, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 8, 2025
• Last Verified: September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Gene Therapy; Carcinoma; Vaccine; Pembrolizumab; HNSCC; Oropharyngeal cancer; Head and neck cancer; HPV16; Carcinoma, squamous cell; Head and neck neoplasms; HPV 16+ head and neck squamous cell cancer; HPV 16 E7E6; E7E6; TheraT®; HPV 16; Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck; Neoplasms, squamous cell
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Stomatognathic Diseases; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; Pharyngeal Neoplasms; Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms; Pharyngeal Diseases; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Carcinoma; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Squamous Cell; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Antineoplastic Agents; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; pembrolizumab
• Other Study ID Numbers: H-200-001; 2019-000907-34 (EudraCT Number)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No