Erlotinib, Docetaxel, and Radiation Therapy in Stage III or Stage IV Squamous Cell Carcinoma of t… (NCT00720304) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedPhase 2
Erlotinib, Docetaxel, and Radiation Therapy in Stage III or Stage IV Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
United States43 participantsStarted 2007-11-19
Plain-language summary
RATIONALE: Erlotinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. 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 erlotinib together with docetaxel and radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells.
PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well erlotinib given together with docetaxel and radiation therapy works in treating patients with stage III or stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
* Histologically or cytologically confirmed locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
* Stage III or IV disease
* No distant metastatic disease
* Measurable disease (according to RECIST)
* No salivary gland and paranasal sinus squamous cell carcinoma
* No known brain metastases or direct cerebral invasion by tumor
* Intracranial extension (without cerebral involvement) may be allowed
PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
* ECOG performance status (PS) 0-2 OR Karnofsky PS 60-100%
* Life expectancy \> 12 weeks
* ANC ≥ 1,500/mm\^3
* Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3
* Hemoglobin ≥10 g/dL
* Total bilirubin normal
* Alkaline phosphatase AND AST and ALT meeting the following criteria:
* Alkaline phosphatase normal AND AST and ALT ≤ 5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
* Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 times ULN AND AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times ULN
* Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 5 times ULN AND AST and ALT normal
* Creatinine normal OR creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min
* No clinically significant heart disease including any of the following:
* NYHA class III or IV heart disease
* Significant arrhythmias requiring medication
* Symptomatic coronary artery disease
* Myocardial infarction within the previous six months
* Second- or third-degree heart block or bundle-branch block
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for at least 3 months after completion of study thera…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Percent of Participants With Disease-Free Survival (DFS) at 3 Years