Xevinapant with platinum-based chemoradiotherapy for previously untreated locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Xevinapant in combination with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is currently in clinical development for previously untreated locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). SCCHN is cancer that begins in the squamous cells (thin, flat cells that line various organs and skin) in areas of head and neck, including nasal cavity, sinuses, lips, mouth, salivary glands, throat and voice box. Locally advanced means that cancer has grown outside the area it started in but has not yet spread to other parts of the body. For patients with unresected locally advanced SCCHN who cannot undergo surgery, the current standard of care is high-dose cisplatin-based CRT, however most patients will still experience disease recurrence or develop distant metastases (spread to distant organs or lymph nodes), therefore novel treatment options are needed.