Phase II Study of Concurrent C225, Cisplatin and Radiation in Stage IV Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2016-07-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies such as cetuximab can locate tumor cells and either kill
them or deliver tumor-killing substances to them without harming normal cells. Drugs used in
chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, work in different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so
they stop growing or die. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells.
Cetuximab may make the tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Giving monoclonal antibody therapy together with chemoradiotherapy may kill more tumor cells.
PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving cetuximab and cisplatin together
with radiation therapy works in treating patients with locally advanced or regional stage IV
head and neck cancer that cannot be removed by surgery.