Multicenter Randomized Phase II Study of Erlotinib, Cisplatin and Radiotherapy Versus Cisplatin and Radiotherapy in Patients With Stage III and IV Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Detailed Summary

This randomized phase II trial is studying cisplatin and radiation therapy together with or without erlotinib hydrochloride to compare how well they work in treating patients with stage III or stage IV head and neck cancer. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Specialized radiation therapy that delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the tumor may kill more tumor cells and cause less damage to normal tissue. Erlotinib hydrochloride may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. It may also make tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. Giving cisplatin and radiation therapy together with erlotinib hydrochloride may kill more tumor cells. It is not yet known whether cisplatin and radiation therapy are more effective with or without erlotinib hydrochloride in treating head and neck cancer

Study Details

Timeline

Interventions