Erlotinib (Tarceva) and Bexarotene (Targretin) Oral Capsules in Advanced Cancers of the Aerodigestive Tract

Inclusion Criteria: * Pathological confirmation of advanced malignant aerodigestive tract tumo(lung, head and neck and esophagus) * No known curative treatment. * Age \>18 years * Karnofsky performance status ≥ 60%. * Prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy is allowed. * Fasting triglycerides equal or less than upper limit of normal * Female patients and male patients with female partners of childbearing potential must agree to sexual abstinence or to practice effective contraception (recommended to be two reliable forms of non-hormonal contraception used simultaneously) during the entire period of Targretin capsule treatment and for at least one (1) month after treatment is discontinued. Male patients with female sexual partners who are pregnant, or possibly pregnant or who could become pregnant during the study must agree to use condoms during sexual intercourse during the entire period of Targretin capsule treatment and for at least one (1) month after the last dose of Targretin capsules. * All patients must give informed consent indicating they are aware of the investigational nature of this treatment. Exclusion Criteria: * Organ dysfunction that precludes use of bexarotene or erlotinib: * hepatic dysfunction, as evidenced by either: * transaminase (SGOT or SGPT) \> 2.5 X upper limit of normal (ULN) or \> 5 X ULN if known liver metastases * bilirubin \> upper limit of normal * renal dysfunction, as evidenced by calculated creatinine clearance \< 30 ml/min * A serious u…