Adjuvant Cetuximab and Chemoradiotherapy Using Either Cisplatin or Docetaxel in Treating Patients With Resected Stage III or Stage IV Squamous Cell Carcinoma or Lymphoepithelioma of the Head and Neck

Summary

RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies such as cetuximab can locate tumor cells and either kill them or deliver tumor-killing substances to them without harming normal cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin and docetaxel, work in different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Cisplatin and docetaxel may make the tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. Combining a monoclonal antibody with chemoradiotherapy and giving them after surgery may kill any remaining tumor cells. PURPOSE: This randomized phase II trial is studying adjuvant cetuximab given together with chemoradiotherapy using cisplatin to see how well it works compared to adjuvant cetuximab given together with chemoradiotherapy using docetaxel in treating patients with resected stage III or stage IV squamous cell carcinoma (cancer) or lymphoepithelioma of the head and neck.

Timeline

Start

2004-04

Primary completion

2009-03

Completion

2016-12

Publications

• Results Harari PM, Harris J, Kies MS, et al.: Phase II randomized trial of surgery followed by chemoradiation plus cetuximab for high-risk squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (RTOG 0234). [Abstract] Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 69 (3 Suppl): A-22, S13, 2007.
• Results Harari PM, Harris J, Kies MS, Myers JN, Jordan RC, Gillison ML, Foote RL, Machtay M, Rotman M, Khuntia D, Straube W, Zhang Q, Ang K. Postoperative chemoradiotherapy and cetuximab for high-risk squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Radiation Therapy Oncology Group RTOG-0234. J Clin Oncol. 2014 Aug 10;32(23):2486-95. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2013.53.9163. Epub 2014 Jul 7.

Drugs

Indications