Importance The incidence of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16–positive) recurrent/metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is rising. Approved therapies offer a durable response to a minority of patients. Objective To determine the efficacy and safety of a therapeutic HPV16-targeted immunotherapy, PDS0101, in combination with pembrolizumab in participants with HPV16-positive R/M HNSCC, with separate evaluation of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)–naive and ICI-resistant cohorts. Design, Setting, and Participants VERSATILE-002 was a phase 2, open-label, multicenter nonrandomized clinical trial conducted at 26 oncology centers from March 29, 2021, to May 15, 2025, across the US, UK, and Ireland using the Simon 2-stage optimal design. Efficacy analyses were performed on modified intent-to-treat (mITT) population; safety analyses included all participants who received 1 or more doses. Eighty-eight participants with histologically confirmed R/M HPV16-positive HNSCC were enrolled, of whom 87 (98.9%) received treatment and composed the safety population. Seventy five (85.2%) were in the mITT population used for efficacy analyses, of whom 53 (70.7%) were ICI-naive with a programmed cell death ligand 1 combined positive score of 1 or greater and 22 (29.3%) were ICI-resistant. Exposures Pembrolizumab (200 mg, intravenously, every 3 weeks for up to 35 cycles) plus subcutaneous PDS0101 (5 scheduled doses per protocol). Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR) per the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors , version 1.1, by a masked independent central reviewer. Secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS), median overall survival (mOS), and safety, with exploratory end points of duration of response, disease control rate, and response rates by programmed cell death ligand 1 status. Results Of the 75 patients in the mITT population, the mean (SD) age was 64.0 (8.3) years; 4 individuals (5%) were female and 71 (95%) were male; and 2 individuals (3%) were Asian, 1 (1%) was Black, 5 (7%) were Hispanic, and 71 (95%) were White. Among 53 ICI-naive participants in the mITT cohort, ORR by the central reviewer was 34.0%, median PFS was 5.3 months (95% CI, 2.10-9.00), and mOS was 39.3 months (95% CI, 23.90 to not evaluable). Among 22 ICI-resistant patients in the mITT cohort, no objective responses were observed and the primary end point (ORR by central reviewer) was not met, but mOS was 14.8 months (95% CI, 8.50-26.00). The treatment was well tolerated, with 13.8% experiencing grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events. Conclusions and Relevance The results of this nonrandomized clinical trial suggest that PDS0101 plus pembrolizumab showed antitumor activity in ICI-naive HPV16-positive R/M HNSCC, with favorable safety, response rates, and survival outcomes. The findings support further evaluation in a first-line setting. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04260126
Cohort-level safety and efficacy results for [
212
Pb]VMT-α-NET in advanced somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2+)–expressing neuroendocrine tumors (NETs): Cohorts 1–3.
4173 Background: [ 212 Pb]VMT-α-NET is an alpha-particle radiation-delivering agent targeted to somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2)-expressing tumors. Here, we present safety and efficacy results from the dose-finding phase 1/2a clinical trial (NCT05636618). Methods: This phase 1/2a dose-escalation study uses a Bayesian algorithm to identify an optimal dose of [ 212 Pb]VMT-α-NET for participants with advanced, well-differentiated NETs expressing SSTR2. Eligible participants must have unresectable or metastatic disease, documented radiologic progression following at least one prior systemic treatment, and evidence of SSTR2 expression (Krenning Score ³2) in ≥1 lesion confirmed on an FDA-approved somatostatin receptor PET scan. Patients previously treated with systemic peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) are excluded from enrollment. During the dose-finding phase, participants may receive up to four administrations of [ 212 Pb]VMT-α-NET at their assigned dose level, and they are monitored for dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) for 42 days and safety throughout the study. Efficacy is evaluated by investigators according to RECIST criteria v1.1. Dosimetry is included as a supportive analysis. Results: As of the 10-Dec-2025 data cut-off (DCO), 56 participants had been enrolled across Cohorts 1, 2, and 3 and received at least one dose of [ 212 Pb]VMT-α-NET: 2 participants in Cohort 1 (2.5 mCi), 46 in Cohort 2 (5 mCi), and 8 in Cohort 3 (6 mCi). No dose-limiting toxicities, grade 5 adverse events, treatment-related discontinuations, serious renal events, dysphagia, or clinically meaningful treatment-related myelosuppression were observed. The median follow-up for all treated participants was 40 weeks (range 6–97). Efficacy has been summarized in this abstract for 25 participants (2 in Cohort 1 and 23 in Cohort 2). Nineteen of these 25 participants remained progression-free at the time of the DCO, with a median efficacy follow-up of 49 weeks (range 6–97). In Cohort 2, investigators observed RECIST v1.1 objective responses in 9 of 23 participants (39%), including 8 confirmed responses. Both participants in Cohort 1 continued to exhibit stable disease after two years of follow-up. Updated safety for all participants and updated efficacy for participants with sufficient maturity beyond the 25 summarized here will be presented at the congress. Conclusions: Treatment with [ 212 Pb]VMT-α-NET continues to demonstrate a favorable safety profile across all treated participants (n = 56) and shows signs of sustained efficacy at the 2.5 mCi and 5 mCi dose levels. The therapy has been well-tolerated with no observed dose-limiting toxicities or serious treatment-related adverse outcomes. Based on these encouraging safety and efficacy findings, the study is ongoing, and enrollment into Cohort 3 (6 mCi) remains active. Clinical trial information: NCT05636618 .
Safety and preliminary efficacy results of [
212
Pb]VMT-a-NET in advanced somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2)-expressing neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).
635 Background: [ 212 Pb]VMT-a-NET is an alpha therapy agent targeting somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2)-expressing tumors. Here, we report the results of a prospective, open-label, Phase I/IIa trial (NCT05636618), assessing safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of [ 212 Pb]VMT-a-NET in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Methods: Adults with well-differentiated unresectable or metastatic SSTR2-expressing NETs, who are peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) naïve, and who progressed on at least one prior line of systemic therapy, are eligible. Participants can receive up to four cycles of [ 212 Pb]VMT-a-NET at the assigned dose level. Participants are followed for dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) observation up to 42 days after the first dose. Efficacy is evaluated by investigators according to RECIST criteria v1.1. Results: As of 16-Aug-2025 (data cut-off [DCO]) a total of 48 participants were enrolled into cohorts 1 and 2 and received at least one dose of [ 212 Pb]VMT-a-NET (n=2 in Cohort 1, and n=46 in Cohort 2 at a dose level of 92.5 MBq and 185 MBq, respectively). Among all participants treated with at least one dose of [ 212 Pb]VMT-a-NET (n=48), no DLTs, no grade 4 or 5 adverse events (AEs), and no treatment-related discontinuations, were observed. Median follow-up time was 28 weeks (range: 6-93). Nine participants were followed for DLT observation (n=2 in cohort 1 and n=7 in cohort 2).Seven of these patients were with no progression as of the DCO. Three out of the seven participants enrolled at the dose level of 185 MBq achieved a confirmed partial response (PR). Median follow-up time for participants included in the efficacy group was 72 weeks (range: 6-93). Cohort 3, at a dose level of 222 MBq, has recently been opened for enrollment. At the DCO, 4 participants were enrolled in this cohort. Updated safety outcome for all participants along with updated efficacy findings for participants in Cohort 1 and 2 with sufficient maturity, will be presented during the congress. Conclusions: [ 212 Pb]VMT-a-NET showed a favorable safety profile and promising clinical benefit for patients with advanced SSTR2-expressing NETs treated at the dose levels of 92.5 MBq and 185 MBq. The study is ongoing with Cohort 3 (222 MBq) currently open for enrollment. Clinical trial information: NCT05636618 .