Erlotinib, Docetaxel, and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2008-02-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop
growing or die. Erlotinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking the enzymes
necessary for tumor cell growth. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor
cells. Combining erlotinib with docetaxel may make the tumor cells more sensitive to
radiation therapy and may kill more tumor cells. Phase I trial to study the maximum tolerated
dose (MTD) of combining erlotinib with docetaxel and radiation therapy in treating patients
who have locally advanced head and neck cancer