A new “smart” injection called amivantamab has shown remarkable results in shrinking head and neck cancer tumours within just six weeks, offering new hope for patients with hard-to-treat forms of the disease.
Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer globally. When it spreads or returns after standard treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, options are often limited. However, results from the Orig-AMI 4 trial, presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology conference in Berlin, suggest amivantamab could change that outlook.
The trial involved patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who had already undergone multiple treatments. Of 86 participants given amivantamab, 76% saw their tumours shrink or stop growing, with visible improvements typically occurring within six weeks. The treatment was well tolerated, with most side effects reported as mild to moderate.
Prof 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.”
Amivantamab is a triple-action therapy that blocks two key cancer pathways — EGFR and MET — while also activating the immune system to attack tumours. Unlike conventional chemotherapy, it is administered as a simple subcutaneous injection, which could eventually make it suitable for outpatient or even home treatment.
Patients have already reported life-changing effects. Carl Walsh, 59, from Birmingham, joined the trial after chemotherapy and immunotherapy failed to stop his tongue cancer.
“Before starting the trial, I couldn’t talk properly and eating was difficult,” he said. “Now the swelling has gone down a lot, and I’m not in the same amount of pain. Sometimes I even forget that I have cancer.”
Researchers say the findings mark a major step forward in treatment for patients with limited options, potentially paving the way for broader use of injectable cancer therapies in the near future.
