Bevacizumab, Docetaxel, and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Stage III or Stage IV Head and Neck Cancer
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2012-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies, such as bevacizumab, 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. Bevacizumab may also stop the
growth of tumor cells by blocking blood flow to the tumor. 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 bevacizumab together with docetaxel and radiation therapy may kill more
tumor cells.
PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving bevacizumab together with docetaxel
and radiation therapy works in treating patients with stage III or stage IV head and neck
cancer.