H&N NEO-COMBAT XL: Neoadjuvant XL-092 (Zanzalintinib) and Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in Surgically Resectable, HPV Negative Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OCSCC)

This is a multicenter, single arm Phase 2B study in subjects with locally advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) with surgically resectable disease. The study will assess the combination of neoadjuvant XL092 and pembrolizumab for safety and improvement of pathologic response rates compared to historical standard of care with perioperative pembrolizumab. The primary objective is to estimate the pathologic response rate defined as either pathological complete response (pCR), which is the absence of residual viable tumor, or major pathologic response (MPR), which is \<10% of residual tumor following the completion of neoadjuvant therapy and surgery. The study will be conducted in two stages. Per Simon's Stage 1, 11 patients will be enrolled. Simon Stage 2 will be gated on multiple factors. If ≥2 pathologic response is observed (pCR or MPR), the trial will proceed with cohort expansion and enroll an additional 15 patients for a total of 26 patients.

NCT Number	NCT07484139
Lead Sponsor	UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Collaborators: Exelixis
Conditions	Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Head and Neck Cancer
Enrollment	26 participants
Start Date	2026-06
Primary Completion	2028-05 (estimated)
Study Completion	2028-05 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-05-08