Cisplatin, Fluorouracil, Iressa, and Radiation Therapy Patients With Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2010-05-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin and fluorouracil, work in different
ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from
dividing. Gefitinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed
for cell growth. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Giving
cisplatin, fluorouracil, and gefitinib together with radiation therapy may kill more tumor
cells.
PURPOSE: This phase I/II trial is studying the side effects of giving cisplatin,
fluorouracil, and gefitinib together with hyperfractionated radiation therapy and to see how
well they work in treating patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.