cIAP1/cIAP2

Researchers will investigate the ability of Xevinapant to cross the blood-brain barrier and exert anti-tumor effects on rHGG through activation of apoptosis. Researchers hypothesize that oral administration of Xevinapant has acceptable safety and tolerability in patients with recurrent HGG and demonstrate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects in HGG tumors. To that end, Researchers will engage in a phase I "window of opportunity" translational clinical trial in patients undergoing a clinically-indicated craniotomy for resection of recurrent tumors to evaluate the impact of treatment on rHGG.

This phase II trial compares the effect of usual radiation therapy with cisplatin/carboplatin (chemoradiation) to the addition of xevinapant with chemoradiation in patients with head and neck cancer. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Cisplatin is in a class of medications known as platinum-containing compounds. It works by killing, stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells. Carboplatin is in a class of medications known as platinum-containing compounds. It works in a way similar to the anticancer drug cisplatin, but may be better tolerated than cisplatin. Carboplatin works by killing, stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells. Xevinapant is a first-in-class antagonist of inhibitor of apoptosis (programmed cell death) proteins (IAPs), which leads to tumor cell death and enhances tumor cell sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Giving xevinapant with chemoradiation may be more effective in preventing head and neck cancer from growing or spreading than chemoradiation alone.

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the best safe dose of xevinapant that can be given in combination with chemotherapy and radiation in patients with head and neck cancer. Up to 4 doses of xevinapant will be tested in the dose escalation portion of the study. After the best safe dose is found during escalation, an additional group of participants will be enrolled at that dose to learn more about the treatment combination (dose expansion).
The main question[s] it aims to answer are:
what is the maximum safe dose that can be given
what dose should be used in subsequent (phase 2) trials
Participants will receive xevinapant in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy and radiation. Treatment will be given in 3-week cycles for 3 cycles.