Active clinical trials for "Head and Neck Neoplasms"

This phase II trial studies how well giving temsirolimus together with cetuximab works compared to temsirolimus alone in treating patients with recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck cancer who did not respond to previous therapy. Temsirolimus 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. It is not yet known whether giving temsirolimus together with cetuximab is more effective than giving temsirolimus alone.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of escalating doses of the MM-121 plus cetuximab and the MM-121 plus cetuximab plus irinotecan combination.

This study will evaluate the initial safety and effectiveness of an investigational drug, MLN8237, added to routine radiation therapy and cetuximab in patients with head and neck cancer. This study will also determine the highest dose of MLN8237 that can be given together with cetuximab and radiation therapy without causing severe side effects.

Background: - Advanced-stage head and neck cancer (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma [HNSCC]) has moderately successful treatment outcomes, usually involving surgery as part of the standard treatment. Researchers are investigating the use of the drug rapamycin to prevent tumor growth in HNSCC, and are interested in using it to treat individuals with HNSCC that has not been treated previously with other drugs, radiation, or surgery. Objectives: - To evaluate the usefulness of rapamycin in decreasing tumor size prior to surgery for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Eligibility: - Individuals at least 18 years of age who have been diagnosed with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that has not yet been treated. Design: Participants will be screened with a physical examination, medical history, blood tests, and imaging studies. Approximately 1 month before scheduled surgery, participants will begin to receive rapamycin. Participants will take rapamycin once daily for 21 days, followed by a 7-day period without the drug. During the 21-day rapamycin treatment, participants will have weekly study visits to provide blood and urine samples and have possible tumor biopsies and imaging studies such as x-rays or tumor photographs. Participants will have additional study visits for tests 1 day and 1 week after the end of rapamycin treatment, followed by HNSCC surgery. Participants will have a final visit to provide blood samples 30 days after surgery. Participants medical records will be reviewed 1 year after surgery; however, participants will not need to have further study visits at this time.

This study will begin with a 30 participant lead-in part: these 30 participants will receive cetuximab manufactured by ImClone on a weekly basis in combination with other chemotherapy drugs [cisplatin or carboplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)] administered every 3 weeks. After 18 weeks, participants who benefit from this treatment may continue to receive cetuximab once-weekly until progression of the disease, an unacceptable side effect occurs, participants withdraw consent, or the study is closed. In the second part of this study, 200 participants will be randomized in 2 arms: 100 participants will receive commercial cetuximab manufactured by ImClone (Group A) 100 participants will receive cetuximab manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim (Group B). All these 200 participants will receive other chemotherapy drugs (cisplatin or carboplatin plus 5-FU) administered every 3 weeks. After 18 weeks, participants who benefit from this treatment may continue to receive cetuximab once-weekly until progression of the disease, an unacceptable side effect occurs, participants withdraw consent, or the study is closed.

The purpose of this study is to determine the highest dose of a ABI-007 that can be given with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil without causing intolerable side effects in patients with advanced head and neck cancer.

RATIONALE: 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. Stereotactic radiation therapy may be able to send x-rays directly to the tumor and cause less damage to normal tissue. Giving cetuximab together with stereotactic radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how giving cetuximab together with stereotactic radiation therapy works in treating patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck cancer that cannot be removed by surgery.

This study will investigate the safety and efficacy of oral PF-00299804 in patients who have not yet undergone any other drug treatment for recurrent and/ or metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer.

To assess the efficacy of docetaxel, cisplatin combination in terms of disease free survival. Time to progression of the disease in terms of local and distant failure; assess the survival time, and assess the objective (clinical and radiological) response rate and the safety of the treatment.

The purpose of this trial is to estimate progression free survival in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer that have not received chemotherapy in this setting.