Amivantamab vs. Emerging EGFR Bispecifics in HNSCC

Paul L. Swiecicki, MD, of the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, compares subcutaneous amivantamab with 2 other EGFR-directed bispecific antibodies advancing toward phase 3 readouts in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC): petosemtamab and ficerafusp alfa. He notes that all 3 agents have shown broadly similar efficacy and toxicity in phase 2 studies, though each is being developed in a different combination or line of therapy; amivantamab is being studied in the first-line setting and after progression on an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) and platinum-based chemotherapy, while the other agents have focused mostly on first-line and second-line use. Dr Swiecicki says no predictive biomarker has yet been identified for any of these agents, and that all 3 appear to have activity limited to HPV-negative or HPV-unrelated HNSCC. He adds that amivantamab is currently the only one with a subcutaneous formulation, dosed every 3 weeks versus more frequent schedules for the others.