Active clinical trials for "Head and Neck Neoplasms"

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.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as docetaxel, 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. 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. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Giving combination chemotherapy together with cetuximab and radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil together with cetuximab and radiation therapy works in treating patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.

The objectives for this study is as follows: Primary: To evaluate the progression-free survival of locoregionally advanced (stages III/IV) SCCHN patients undergoing postoperative chemoradiotherapy with panitumumab. Secondary: To evaluate the overall survival, event-free survival, and toxicities. To correlate efficacy parameters with 1) EGFR and downstream pathway activation, 2) FcyR polymorphisms, and 3) serum cytokine profiles. More specifically, the aim is to demonstrate the usefulness of biomarkers (downstream signaling molecules, FcyR polymorphisms, or tumor and serum cytokine(s) in predicting progression-free survival in patients with SCCHN treated with the above treatment. Specific biomarkers that relate to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and angiogenesis, including EGFR, pEGFR, Src, pMAPK, pSTAT3, pSTAT5, pSTAT1, pAKT, p38, p21, p27, PARP, E-cadherin, p-ErbB3, Ki67, VEGF, and IL-8, using reverse phase protein microarrays (RPPA) will be tested in baseline archival paraffin-embedded tumor tissue. To collect tumor tissue from pretreatment biopsies for cytokine/chemokine and immune biomarker studies on tumor tissue. We plan to investigate the expression of pAKT, pMAPK, and other EGFR pathway-related markers as well angiogenesis biomarkers. In addition, EGFR polymorphisms will be studied in tumor tissue samples and serum. Additional studies may be performed in the future. Some of these studies may be performed by Amgen.

This multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled phase II trial evaluates safety and efficacy of post-operative chemoradiation in combination with cetuximab in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Swallowing dysfunction after chemo-radiation is common, but there is no reliable evidence for how it should be managed. This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated the relative benefit of a battery of isometric / isotonic exercises on the maintenance of muscle composition and function for swallowing in Head / Neck Cancer patients undergoing chemo-radiation therapy.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, 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. 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 chemotherapy together with radiation therapy and cetuximab may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well chemotherapy given together with radiation therapy and cetuximab works in treating patients with head and neck cancer.

Primary Objective: To estimate the overall response rate after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy of Docetaxel 75 mg/m2 in combination with Cisplatin 75 mg/m2 given for 3 cycles, and followed by conventional radiotherapy in UCNT. Secondary Objectives: To evaluate: The radiological response after chemotherapy and radiotherapy The pathological response after chemotherapy by cavum biopsy To estimate: The duration of overall response The time to progression (T.T.P) To analyze: The overall survival The safety profile

RATIONALE: Bortezomib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. 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 bortezomib together with cetuximab may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of bortezomib when given together with cetuximab in treating patients with advanced solid tumors.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of paclitaxel given weekly in patients with advanced or recurrent head and neck cancer

RATIONALE: Bortezomib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. 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. Radiation therapy uses high energy x- rays to kill tumor cells. Bortezomib and cetuximab may make tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving bortezomib together with cetuximab, radiation therapy, and cisplatin may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of bortezomib when given together with cetuximab and radiation therapy with or without cisplatin in treating patients with stage IV head and neck cancer.