Amivantamab injection eliminates tumors in late‑stage head‑neck cancer trial

An international phase III trial of the subcutaneous antibody amivantamab, developed by Johnson & Johnson, enrolled 102 patients with advanced head and neck cancer in 11 countries. After dosing every three weeks, tumors shrank or disappeared in 43 participants; 15 patients experienced complete tumor elimination. Median overall survival was reported at 12.5 months for the treated cohort.

Prof. Kevin Harrington of the Institute of Cancer Research in London said, "These are unprecedented strong responses in patients whose disease had become resistant to both chemotherapy and immunotherapy." The drug works by simultaneously blocking EGFR and MET pathways and activating the immune system. Side effects were generally mild to moderate, with fewer than one in ten patients stopping treatment.

Patient Carl Walsh, 56, who was diagnosed with tongue cancer in May 2024, described his experience: "I had previously failed chemotherapy and immunotherapy, but after joining the OrigAMI‑4 trial I am now on my 17th cycle and can live a normal life." The results were presented at the ASCO annual meeting in Chicago.

Amivantamab is also being evaluated in around 60 other studies for lung, colorectal, brain and stomach cancers, indicating broader potential for the therapy.