Irinotecan and Docetaxel in Treating Patients With Metastatic or Locally Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed carcinoma of the head and neck Squamous cell carcinoma No WHO grade II or III nasopharyngeal carcinoma (well-differentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma allowed) Metastatic or locally recurrent disease considered to be incurable by locoregional therapy Unidimensionally measurable disease outside previously irradiated field unless documented progressive disease or histologically confirmed residual carcinoma at least 8 weeks after completion of radiotherapy PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic: Bilirubin normal AST and ALT less than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) and alkaline phosphatase normal OR Alkaline phosphatase less than 4 times ULN and AST and ALT normal Renal: Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study participation No active infection No pre-existing grade 2 or greater peripheral neuropathy No other concurrent medical condition that would preclude study participation No hypersensitivity to drugs formulated with Polysorbate 80 No other malignancy within the past 3 years except curatively treated squamous cell or basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 2 weeks since prior biologic therapy Any number of prior biologic therapies (e.g., chimeric antibodies or kinase inhibitors) allowed No concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF) Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy No prior docetaxel or irinotecan No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for recurrent or metastatic disease Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy for recurrent or metastatic disease and recovered Surgery: Recovered from prior surgery Other: No concurrent antiepileptics No concurrent cyclosporine