Scalability of NBTXR3: Lingering Questions and Future Directions

In an interview with Targeted Oncology, Colette Shen, MD, PhD, assistant professor at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill and radiation oncologist at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, reflects on next steps in research of the novel radioenhancer NBTXR3 (JNJ-1900) and discusses potential future investigational questions, including the investigation of the agent in other tumor types.

Watch part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4 of Dr Shen’s interview.

For the patient population with recurrent or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who were treated in the present phase 1 Study 1100 (NCT03589339), the immediate next steps in research would be to conduct a randomized trial to determine whether the agent is significantly contributing to the observed responses. Other questions for the population in question include whether human papillomavirus (HPV) status and earlier administration of NBTXR3 during the course of treatment could confer clinical benefits; for metastatic disease specifically, the investigators would also like to investigate the feasibility of injections to multiple sites, rather than a singular injection.

Beyond this study population, there are ongoing randomized trials evaluating NBTXR3 for definitive treatment of HNSCC, including a trial for cisplatin-ineligible patients, as well as a planned study combining NBTXR3 with chemotherapy and radiation for cisplatin-eligible patients.

Because NBTXR3 is tumor-type agnostic, its application is scalable across different cancers. The present trial included an arm for non-HNSCC tumors, the pending results of which will determine future tumor types for investigation. Dr Shen cites melanoma as a promising area for pursuit. Randomized trials are also underway in non–small cell lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer, the results of which will further guide future strategic development.

Read the full interview here.