Head and Neck Early Relapse Detection Study (HERD) (HERD)

A Prospective Cohort Study of Patients With Radically Treated Newly Diagnosed Locally Advanced HPV Negative Head and Neck Cancer to Develop and Validate a Multimodal Signature to Risk-stratify for Recurrence

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is the 6th most common cancer worldwide with an annual incidence of 12000 cases in the UK alone. More than 60% of cases are diagnosed at the locally advanced stage. These patients are treated with radical intent, using a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Unfortunately 5 in 10 patients relapse within 2 years, with most relapses occurring within the first year since treatment.

Unlike many other solid tumours, 80% of relapses occur locoregionally. Salvage surgery offers the best chance of long-term survival for patients with loco-regional recurrence, but this is only possible if the recurrence is amenable to resection. Salvage surgery has been estimated to improve survival outcomes in relapsed cancer by up to 73%. For salvage surgery to be feasible, relapses need to be detected early. Current surveillance strategies have little evidence base, with imaging often driven by clinical symptoms - often when the recurrence is no longer amenable to salvage surgery.

With this study, we will address the unmet clinical need to develop a risk-stratified surveillance pathway to enhance detection of early relapse of radically treated head and neck cancer. At present, tumour grade and biomarkers such as HPV status have offered important but insufficient information to guide surveillance strategies.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Head and Neck Cancer

Detailed Description

AIMS: We hypothesise that risk of relapse relies on a dynamic interplay between the immune profile, tumour microenvironment, genetic signature and clinicopathological characteristics of the participant receiving treatment. Based on the recruitment of 200 participants within the study, we aim to generate sufficient evidence to guide a multi-analyte-based stratified imaging surveillance/follow up strategy to detect early relapse of cancer and improve survival. We will also develop a biorepository of data across a range of modalities to guide individualised treatment by precision medicine.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective is to develop and validate a multimodal signature to risk-stratify participants with radically treated head and neck cancer into different surveillance pathways. Non-invasive methods of surveillance, such as blood and saliva tests, will be used to monitor for relapse, with any abnormalities triggering imaging. This will facilitate early detection of relapse and facilitate salvage surgery, leading to better survival outcomes.

DESIGN: This is a prospective cohort study of participants with newly diagnosed locally advanced HPV negative head and neck cancer, deemed to be intermediate or high risk (Figure 2A), referred to secondary care for radical treatment.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 200

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Trial Manager; Phone Number: 02076709274; Email: NCITA.HERD@ucl.ac.uk

Study Locations

• United Kingdom
  • London, United Kingdom
    • Recruiting
    • Guy's and St Thomas'

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population will be adults, aged 18 years and over with histologically confirmed, locally advanced HNSCC, who are HPV negative and considered of intermediate or high risk, and will be offered radical treatment. This includes surgery and any postoperative adjuvant/consolidation treatment, or radical chemo-radiation.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Histologically confirmed, locally advanced HNSCC, HPV negative considered as intermediate or high risk .
2. Offered radical treatment. (This includes surgery and any postoperative adjuvant/consolidation treatment, or radical chemo-radiation).
3. Age ≥ 18 years.
4. Adequate bone marrow function (nNeutrophils, platelets and haemoglobin grade 0 or 1 according to CTCAE).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. HPV positive disease.
2. Participants with concurrent malignancy.
3. Confirmed distant metastatic disease on most recent imaging scan.
4. Known Hepatitis B, C or HIV infection .
5. Contraindications to MRI (including but not limited to cardiac pacemaker, metallic implants, major claustrophobia).
6. Pregnant and lactating patients.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
High Risk Pathway; Risk-stratified surveillance pathway, including non-invasive methods of surveillance such as blood and saliva tests; to monitor for relapse, with any abnormalities triggering imaging
Low Risk Pathway; Risk-stratified surveillance pathway, including non-invasive methods of surveillance such as blood and saliva tests; to monitor for relapse, with any abnormalities triggering imaging

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Was a multimodal signature developed to risk-stratify participants with locally advanced radically treated head and neck cancer?	Yes or No	4 years (data collection period)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Was a non-invasive method of surveillance successfully developed?	Yes or No	4 years (data collection period)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University College, London
• Collaborators: Cancer Research UK
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Martin Forster, Dr, University College, London

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 12, 2023
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 8, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 15, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): October 28, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 5, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 2, 2023
• Last Verified: October 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Head and Neck Neoplasms
• Other Study ID Numbers: 277885

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: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No