A groundbreaking trial has found that a new “smart” injection, amivantamab, can shrink head and neck cancer tumours within six weeks — offering fresh hope for patients with hard-to-treat forms of the disease.
Head and neck cancer is the world’s sixth most common cancer. When it spreads or returns after standard treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, options are often limited. But new research presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology conference in Berlin suggests that amivantamab — a triple-action drug — could transform care for these patients.
The Orig-AMI 4 trial, involving 86 patients from 11 countries, including the UK, tested the drug in people with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Among those who had already undergone chemotherapy and immunotherapy, 76% saw their tumours shrink or stop growing, with responses typically occurring within six weeks. The treatment was generally well tolerated, with mostly mild to moderate side effects.
Professor Kevin Harrington, of the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, described the results as “incredibly encouraging.” He said:
“This could represent a real shift in how we treat head and neck cancer — not just in terms of effectiveness, but also in how we deliver care.”
Unlike traditional infusions that can take hours, amivantamab is delivered via a simple under-the-skin injection, making it faster and more convenient — potentially suitable for outpatient or even home use in the future.
The drug targets cancer in three ways: blocking two major growth pathways, EGFR and MET, while also helping the immune system attack the tumour.
One UK patient, Carl Walsh, 59, who joined the trial after standard treatments failed, said the difference was remarkable:
“Before starting the trial, I couldn’t talk properly and eating was difficult, but the swelling has gone down a lot. I’m not in the same pain I used to be — sometimes I even forget that I have cancer.”
Researchers say the findings could pave the way for a new generation of fast, targeted cancer therapies that are both effective and easier for patients to live with.
