Subcutaneous amivantamab delivers promising 45 percent overall response rate with median duration of 7.2 months in recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer
Subcutaneous amivantamab delivers promising 45 percent overall response rate with median duration of 7.2 months in recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer |
| [19-October-2025] |
Responses were rapid and durable, and tumor shrinkage was observed in 82 percent of patients New findings from this investigational study build on the strength of RYBREVANT® (amivantamab-vmjw) in non-small cell lung cancer and broadens its potential across additional solid tumors RARITAN, N.J., Oct. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) today announced promising new results from the Phase 1b/2 OrigAMI-4 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous (SC) amivantamab monotherapy in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-unrelated, recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) after disease progression on a checkpoint inhibitor and platinum-based chemotherapy. The study used the new subcutaneous formulation of amivantamab, which can be delivered in a five-minute manual injection, offering increased patient convenience compared to intravenous RYBREVANT® (amivantamab-vmjw). Data were presented during a mini-oral session at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2025 Congress (Oral Abstract #1327MO).1
Patients with R/M HNSCC have limited options and poor outcomes after disease progression on a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor and platinum-based chemotherapy.2 Many are unable to receive further treatment, and for those who do, response rates with available therapies are typically only 10 to 24 percent.2,3,4 Survival remains short, with a median of 6 to 9 months, and may be even shorter among patients with HPV-unrelated disease.2,4,5,6 Patients also face a significant burden of symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, impaired speech, pain and fatigue.2 Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and MET, two key tumor drivers, are overexpressed in 80 to 90 percent of HNSCC tumors, highlighting their role as potential treatment targets.7,8,9 RYBREVANT®, the world's first bispecific antibody approved for lung cancer, inhibits EGFR and MET, in addition to activating the immune system to attack cancer cells.10 "Patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer face an aggressive disease that significantly impacts their quality of life," said Professor Kevin Harrington*, MBBS, Ph.D., Professor in Biological Cancer Therapies at The Institute of Cancer Research, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK, and primary study investigator. "These results represent one of the most encouraging response rates we've seen in this difficult-to-treat setting, with durability that could meaningfully extend the time patients live without their disease progressing." In Cohort 1 of the OrigAMI-4 study, treatment with SC amivantamab resulted in an overall response rate (the primary endpoint) of 45 percent in 38 efficacy-evaluable patients with R/M HNSCC unrelated to HPV with disease progression on or after a PD-1 or PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor and platinum-based chemotherapy (95 percent confidence interval [CI], 29-62).1 Responses occurred quickly, with a median time to first response of 6.4 weeks (range, 5.7-18.3), and were durable, with a median duration of response of 7.2 months (95 percent CI, 5.3-not estimable [NE]).1,11 Tumor shrinkage of target lesions was observed in 82 percent of patients after 8.3 months follow-up.1 Median progression-free survival was 6.8 months (95 percent CI, 4.2-9.0), while median overall survival had not yet been reached (95 percent CI, 7.7-NE).1 "These data highlight the broader potential of RYBREVANT-based therapies across solid tumors where the EGFR and/or MET pathways are activated," said Kiran Patel, Vice President, Global Head, Solid Tumor Clinical Development and Diagnostics, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. "RYBREVANT combinations have already demonstrated significant results for certain patients with non-small cell lung cancer, leading to extended survival and delayed treatment resistance. Now we're building on that progress in other hard-to-treat diseases like head and neck cancer. By targeting EGFR and MET while also engaging the immune system, subcutaneous amivantamab could provide new options for more patients who have few effective treatments." The safety-evaluable population included 86 patients who received at least one dose of SC amivantamab monotherapy. The safety profile was consistent with prior SC amivantamab monotherapy studies, with no new safety signals observed. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were fatigue (31 percent), hypoalbuminemia (31 percent) and stomatitis (23 percent). Administration-related reactions occurred in seven percent of patients, all mild to moderate (grade 1-2), with no severe events. Treatment discontinuation due to treatment-related adverse events occurred in two percent of patients.1 Based on these results, Johnson & Johnson is initiating further study of SC amivantamab in head and neck cancer with the Phase 3 OrigAMI-5 study, which is evaluating first-line SC amivantamab with pembrolizumab and carboplatin versus 5-fluorouracil (5FU) plus pembrolizumab and platinum-based chemotherapy (cisplatin or carboplatin) in patients with HPV-unrelated R/M HNSCC. In addition to supporting further evaluation in first-line R/M HNSCC, these findings add to the evidence supporting the role of RYBREVANT®-based treatments across multiple solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer and HNSCC. About the OrigAMI-4 Study OrigAMI-4 (NCT06385080) is an open-label Phase 1b/2 study evaluating SC amivantamab in recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). The study includes five cohorts, including Cohort 1, which studied SC amivantamab as monotherapy in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-unrelated R/M HNSCC who had received prior platinum-based chemotherapy and PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. Patients with prior anti-EGFR therapy were excluded. Subcutaneous amivantamab was administered every three weeks (Q3W) at 2400 mg, or 3360 mg for patients weighing 80 kg or more. The primary endpoint is overall response rate (ORR), assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) using RECIST v1.1**.12 About Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most common type of head and neck cancer, accounting for more than 90 percent of cases and approximately 4.5 percent of all cancers worldwide.13 It develops in the mucosal linings of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx.13 Major risk factors include tobacco and alcohol use, as well as infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV).13 Around 75 percent of cases are HPV-negative, which is typically associated with a poorer prognosis and reduced response to treatment.13,14 Despite advances in surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, many patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and recurrent or metastatic HNSCC continues to carry a poor prognosis.2,7 About Subcutaneous Amivantamab Subcutaneous amivantamab is an investigational fixed-dose combination of the bispecific antibody amivantamab and recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 (rHuPH20), which is part of Halozyme's ENHANZE® drug delivery technology. It targets EGFR and MET with immune cell-directing activity and is being developed to address tumors driven by activating and resistance EGFR mutations as well as MET alterations. Subcutaneous amivantamab is being studied across multiple tumor types, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). About RYBREVANT® RYBREVANT® (amivantamab-vmjw), a fully-human bispecific antibody targeting EGFR and MET with immune cell-directing activity, is approved in the U.S., Europe and other markets around the world as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test, whose disease has progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.10 RYBREVANT® is approved in the U.S., Europe and other markets around the world in combination with chemotherapy (carboplatin and pemetrexed) for the first-line treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test. RYBREVANT® is approved in the U.S., Europe and other markets around the world in combination with LAZCLUZE® (lazertinib) for the first-line treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test. RYBREVANT® is approved in the U.S., Europe and other markets around the world in combination with chemotherapy (carboplatin-pemetrexed) for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR exon 19 deletions or L858R substitution mutations, whose disease has progressed on or after treatment with an EGFR TKI. Subcutaneous amivantamab is approved in Europe in combination with LAZCLUZE® for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced NSCLC with EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations, and as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with advanced NSCLC with activating EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations after failure of platinum-based therapy. A Biologics License Application (BLA) was submitted to the U.S. FDA for this indication. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for NSCLC§ prefer next-generation sequencing–based strategies over polymerase chain reaction–based approaches for the detection of EGFR exon 20 insertion, exon 19 deletion and L858R variants. The NCCN Guidelines include:
In addition to the Phase 1b/2 OrigAMI-4 study, RYBREVANT® is being studied in multiple clinical trials, including:
The legal manufacturer for RYBREVANT® is Janssen Biotech, Inc. For more information, visit: https://www.RYBREVANT.com. RYBREVANT ® IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION 10 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Infusion-Related Reactions RYBREVANT® can cause infusion-related reactions (IRRs) including anaphylaxis; signs and symptoms of IRR include dyspnea, flushing, fever, chills, nausea, chest discomfort, hypotension, and vomiting. The median time to IRR onset is approximately 1 hour. RYBREVANT ® with LAZCLUZE ® In MARIPOSA (n=421), IRRs occurred in 63% of patients, including Grade 3 in 5% and Grade 4 in 1% of patients. IRR-related infusion modifications occurred in 54%, dose reduction in 0.7%, and permanent discontinuation of RYBREVANT® in 4.5% of patients. RYBREVANT ® with Carboplatin and Pemetrexed Based on the pooled safety population (n=281), IRRs occurred in 50% of patients including Grade 3 (3.2%) adverse reactions. The incidence of infusion modifications was 46%, and 2.8% of patients permanently discontinued RYBREVANT® due to IRR. RYBREVANT ® as a Single Agent In CHRYSALIS (n=302), IRRs occurred in 66% of patients. IRRs occurred in 65% of patients on Week 1 Day 1, 3.4% on Day 2 infusion, 0.4% with Week 2 infusion, and were cumulatively 1.1% with subsequent infusions. 97% were Grade 1-2, 2.2% were Grade 3, and 0.4% were Grade 4. The median time to onset was 1 hour (range 0.1 to 18 hours) after start of infusion. The incidence of infusion modifications was 62% and 1.3% of patients permanently discontinued RYBREVANT® due to IRRs. Premedicate with antihistamines, antipyretics, and glucocorticoids and infuse RYBREVANT® as recommended. Administer RYBREVANT® via a peripheral line on Week 1 and Week 2 to reduce the risk of IRRs. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of IRRs in a setting where cardiopulmonary resuscitation medication and equipment are available. Interrupt infusion if IRR is suspected. Reduce the infusion rate or permanently discontinue RYBREVANT® based on severity. If an anaphylactic reaction occurs, permanently discontinue RYBREVANT®. Interstitial Lung Disease/Pneumonitis RYBREVANT® can cause severe and fatal interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis. RYBREVANT ® with LAZCLUZE ® In MARIPOSA, ILD/pneumonitis occurred in 3.1% of patients, including Grade 3 in 1.0% and Grade 4 in 0.2% of patients. There was one fatal case (0.2%) of ILD/pneumonitis and 2.9% of patients permanently discontinued RYBREVANT® and LAZCLUZE® due to ILD/pneumonitis. RYBREVANT ® with Carboplatin and Pemetrexed Based on the pooled safety population, ILD/pneumonitis occurred in 2.1% of patients with 1.8% of patients experiencing Grade 3 ILD/pneumonitis. 2.1% discontinued RYBREVANT® due to ILD/pneumonitis. RYBREVANT ® as a Single Agent In CHRYSALIS, ILD/pneumonitis occurred in 3.3% of patients, with 0.7% of patients experiencing Grade 3 ILD/pneumonitis. Three patients (1%) permanently discontinued RYBREVANT® due to ILD/pneumonitis. Monitor patients for new or worsening symptoms indicative of ILD/pneumonitis (e.g., dyspnea, cough, fever). For patients receiving RYBREVANT® in combination with LAZCLUZE®, immediately withhold both drugs in patients with suspected ILD/pneumonitis and permanently discontinue if ILD/pneumonitis is confirmed. For patients receiving RYBREVANT® as a single agent or in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed, immediately withhold RYBREVANT® in patients with suspected ILD/pneumonitis and permanently discontinue if ILD/pneumonitis is confirmed. Venous Thromboembolic Events with Concomitant Use of RYBREVANT® and LAZCLUZE® RYBREVANT® in combination with LAZCLUZE® can cause serious and fatal venous thromboembolic (VTE) events, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (PE). Most events occurred during the first four months of therapy. In MARIPOSA, VTEs occurred in 36% of patients including Grade 3 in 10% and Grade 4 in 0.5% of patients. On-study VTEs occurred in 1.2% of patients (n=5) while receiving anticoagulation therapy. There were two fatal cases of VTE (0.5%), 9% of patients had VTE leading to dose interruptions of RYBREVANT®, and 7% of patients had VTE leading to dose interruptions of LAZCLUZE®; 1% of patients had VTE leading to dose reductions of RYBREVANT®, and 0.5% of patients had VTE leading to dose reductions of LAZCLUZE®; 3.1% of patients had VTE leading to permanent discontinuation of RYBREVANT®, and 1.9% of patients had VTE leading to permanent discontinuation of LAZCLUZE®. The median time to onset of VTEs was 84 days (range: 6 to 777). Administer prophylactic anticoagulation for the first four months of treatment. The use of Vitamin K antagonists is not recommended. Monitor for signs and symptoms of VTE events and treat as medically appropriate. Withhold RYBREVANT® and LAZCLUZE® based on severity. Once anticoagulant treatment has been initiated, resume RYBREVANT® and LAZCLUZE® at the same dose level at the discretion of the healthcare provider. In the event of VTE recurrence despite therapeutic anticoagulation, permanently discontinue RYBREVANT® and continue treatment with LAZCLUZE® at the same dose level at the discretion of the healthcare provider. Dermatologic Adverse Reactions RYBREVANT® can cause severe rash including toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), dermatitis acneiform, pruritus, and dry skin. RYBREVANT ® with LAZCLUZE ® In MARIPOSA, rash occurred in 86% of patients, including Grade 3 in 26% of patients. The median time to onset of rash was 14 days (range: 1 to 556 days). Rash leading to dose interruptions occurred in 37% of patients for RYBREVANT® and 30% for LAZCLUZE®, rash leading to dose reductions occurred in 23% of patients for RYBREVANT® and 19% for LAZCLUZE®, and rash leading to permanent discontinuation occurred in 5% of patients for RYBREVANT® and 1.7% for LAZCLUZE®. RYBREVANT ® with Carboplatin and Pemetrexed Based on the pooled safety population, rash occurred in 82% of patients, including Grade 3 (15%) adverse reactions. Rash leading to dose reductions occurred in 14% of patients, and 2.5% permanently discontinued RYBREVANT® and 3.1% discontinued pemetrexed. RYBREVANT ® as a Single Agent In CHRYSALIS, rash occurred in 74% of patients, including Grade 3 in 3.3% of patients. The median time to onset of rash was 14 days (range: 1 to 276 days). Rash leading to dose reduction occurred in 5% and permanent discontinuation due to rash occurred in 0.7% of patients. Toxic epidermal necrolysis occurred in one patient (0.3%). Instruct patients to limit sun exposure during and for 2 months after treatment with RYBREVANT® or LAZCLUZE® in combination with RYBREVANT®. Advise patients to wear protective clothing and use broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen. Alcohol-free (e.g., isopropanol-free, ethanol-free) emollient cream is recommended for dry skin. When initiating treatment, administer alcohol-free emollient cream to reduce the risk of dermatologic adverse reactions. Consider prophylactic measures (eg, use of oral antibiotics). If skin reactions develop, start topical corticosteroids and topical and/or oral antibiotics. For Grade 3 reactions, add oral steroids and consider dermatologic consultation. Promptly refer patients presenting with severe rash, atypical appearance or distribution, or lack of improvement within 2 weeks to a dermatologist. For patients receiving RYBREVANT® in combination with LAZCLUZE®, withhold, reduce the dose, or permanently discontinue both drugs based on severity. For patients receiving RYBREVANT® as a single agent or in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed, withhold, dose reduce or permanently discontinue RYBREVANT® based on severity. Ocular Toxicity RYBREVANT® can cause ocular toxicity including keratitis, blepharitis, dry eye symptoms, conjunctival redness, blurred vision, visual impairment, ocular itching, eye pruritus, and uveitis. RYBREVANT ® with LAZCLUZE ® In MARIPOSA, ocular toxicity occurred in 16%, including Grade 3 or 4 ocular toxicity in 0.7% of patients. Withhold, reduce the dose, or permanently discontinue RYBREVANT® and continue LAZCLUZE® based on severity. RYBREVANT ® with Carboplatin and Pemetrexed Based on the pooled safety population, ocular toxicity occurred in 16% of patients. All events were Grade 1 or 2. RYBREVANT ® as a Single Agent In CHRYSALIS, keratitis occurred in 0.7% and uveitis occurred in 0.3% of patients. All events were Grade 1-2. Promptly refer patients with new or worsening eye symptoms to an ophthalmologist. Withhold, reduce the dose, or permanently discontinue RYBREVANT® based on severity. Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on animal models, RYBREVANT® and LAZCLUZE® can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to the fetus. Advise patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose of RYBREVANT®, and for 3 weeks after the last dose of LAZCLUZE®. ADVERSE REACTIONS RYBREVANT ® with LAZCLUZE® In MARIPOSA (n=421) , the most common adverse reactions (ARs) (≥20%) were rash (86%), nail toxicity (71%), infusion-related reactions (IRRs) (RYBREVANT®) (63%), musculoskeletal pain (47%), stomatitis (43%), edema (43%), VTE (36%), paresthesia (35%), fatigue (32%), diarrhea (31%), constipation (29%), COVID-19 (26%), hemorrhage (25%), dry skin (25%), decreased appetite (24%), pruritus (24%), and nausea (21%). The most common Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities (≥2%) were decreased albumin (8%), decreased sodium (7%), increased ALT (7%), decreased potassium (5%), decreased hemoglobin (3.8%), increased AST (3.8%), increased GGT (2.6%), and increased magnesium (2.6%). Serious ARs occurred in 49% of patients, with those occurring in ≥2% of patients including VTE (11%), pneumonia (4%), ILD/pneumonitis and rash (2.9% each), COVID-19 (2.4%), and pleural effusion and IRRs (RYBREVANT®) (2.1% each). Fatal ARs occurred in 7% of patients due to death not otherwise specified (1.2%); sepsis and respiratory failure (1% each); pneumonia, myocardial infarction, and sudden death (0.7% each); cerebral infarction, pulmonary embolism (PE), and COVID-19 infection (0.5% each); and ILD/pneumonitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and cardiopulmonary arrest (0.2% each). RYBREVANT ® with Carboplatin and Pemetrexed In MARIPOSA-2 (n=130), the most common ARs (≥20%) were rash (72%), IRRs (59%), fatigue (51%), nail toxicity (45%), nausea (45%), constipation (39%), edema (36%), stomatitis (35%), decreased appetite (31%), musculoskeletal pain (30%), vomiting (25%), and COVID-19 (21%). The most common Grade 3 to 4 laboratory abnormalities (≥2%) were decreased neutrophils (49%), decreased white blood cells (42%), decreased lymphocytes (28%), decreased platelets (17%), decreased hemoglobin (12%), decreased potassium (11%), decreased sodium (11%), increased alanine aminotransferase (3.9%), decreased albumin (3.8%), and increased gamma-glutamyl transferase (3.1%). In MARIPOSA-2, serious ARs occurred in 32% of patients, with those occurring in >2% of patients including dyspnea (3.1%), thrombocytopenia (3.1%), sepsis (2.3%), and PE (2.3%). Fatal ARs occurred in 2.3% of patients; these included respiratory failure, sepsis, and ventricular fibrillation (0.8% each). In PAPILLON (n=151), the most common ARs (≥20%) were rash (90%), nail toxicity (62%), stomatitis (43%), IRRs (42%), fatigue (42%), edema (40%), constipation (40%), decreased appetite (36%), nausea (36%), COVID-19 (24%), diarrhea (21%), and vomiting (21%). The most common Grade 3 to 4 laboratory abnormalities (≥2%) were decreased albumin (7%), increased alanine aminotransferase (4%), increased gamma-glutamyl transferase (4%), decreased sodium (7%), decreased potassium (11%), decreased magnesium (2%), and decreases in white blood cells (17%), hemoglobin (11%), neutrophils (36%), platelets (10%), and lymphocytes (11%). In PAPILLON, serious ARs occurred in 37% of patients, with those occurring in ≥2% of patients including rash, pneumonia, ILD, PE, vomiting, and COVID-19. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 7 patients (4.6%) due to pneumonia, cerebrovascular accident, cardio-respiratory arrest, COVID-19, sepsis, and death not otherwise specified. RYBREVANT ® as a Single Agent In CHRYSALIS (n=129), the most common ARs (≥20%) were rash (84%), IRR (64%), paronychia (50%), musculoskeletal pain (47%), dyspnea (37%), nausea (36%), fatigue (33%), edema (27%), stomatitis (26%), cough (25%), constipation (23%), and vomiting (22%). The most common Grade 3 to 4 laboratory abnormalities (≥2%) were decreased lymphocytes (8%), decreased albumin (8%), decreased phosphate (8%), decreased potassium (6%), increased alkaline phosphatase (4.8%), increased glucose (4%), increased gamma-glutamyl transferase (4%), and decreased sodium (4%). Serious ARs occurred in 30% of patients, with those occurring in ≥2% of patients including PE, pneumonitis/ILD, dyspnea, musculoskeletal pain, pneumonia, and muscular weakness. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 2 patients (1.5%) due to pneumonia and 1 patient (0.8%) due to sudden death. LAZCLUZE® Drug Interactions Avoid concomitant use of LAZCLUZE® with strong and moderate CYP3A4 inducers. Consider an alternate concomitant medication with no potential to induce CYP3A4. Monitor for adverse reactions associated with a CYP3A4 or BCRP substrate where minimal concentration changes may lead to serious adverse reactions, as recommended in the approved product labeling for the CYP3A4 or BCRP substrate. Please read full Prescribing Information for RYBREVANT®. Please read full Prescribing Information for LAZCLUZE®. About Johnson & Johnson At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/ or at www.innovativemedicine.jnj.com. Follow us at @JNJInnovMed. Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
SOURCE Johnson & Johnson | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Company Codes: NYSE:JNJ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
View original content to download multimedia:
