Erlotinib, Docetaxel, and Radiation Therapy in Stage III or Stage IV Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2015-11-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
RATIONALE: Erlotinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes
needed for cell growth. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as docetaxel, work in different ways
to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from
dividing. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Giving erlotinib
together with docetaxel and radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells.
PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well erlotinib given together with docetaxel and
radiation therapy works in treating patients with stage III or stage IV squamous cell
carcinoma of the head and neck.