Radiation Therapy, Cisplatin, Fluorouracil, and Cetuximab in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced Anal Cancer
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2010-11-26
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Drugs used in
chemotherapy, such as fluorouracil and cisplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth
of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Monoclonal
antibodies, such as cetuximab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the
ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or
carry tumor-killing substances to them. Giving radiation therapy together with combination
chemotherapy and cetuximab may kill more tumor cells.
PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying giving radiation therapy together with cisplatin,
fluorouracil, and cetuximab to see how well it works in treating patients with locally
advanced anal cancer.