Radiation Therapy With or Without Epoetin Alfa in Treating Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Summary

RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Epoetin alfa may help prevent or treat cancer-related anemia. It is not yet known whether radiation therapy is more effective with or without epoetin alfa in treating head and neck cancer. PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to compare the effectiveness of radiation therapy with or without epoetin alfa in treating patients who have head and neck cancer.

Timeline

Start

2001-03

Primary completion

2003-04

Completion

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Publications

• Results Bourhis J, Lapeyre M, Tortochaux J, Rives M, Aghili M, Bourdin S, Lesaunier F, Benassi T, Lemanski C, Geoffrois L, Lusinchi A, Verrelle P, Bardet E, Julieron M, Wibault P, Luboinski M, Benhamou E. Phase III randomized trial of very accelerated radiation therapy compared with conventional radiation therapy in squamous cell head and neck cancer: a GORTEC trial. J Clin Oncol. 2006 Jun 20;24(18):2873-8. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2006.08.057.

Drugs

Indications