Everolimus and Docetaxel in Treating Patients With Recurrent, Locally Advanced, or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck * Locally advanced or metastatic disease * No patients with locally advanced disease for whom radiotherapy is indicated * Recurrent disease * Incurable disease * Measurable disease by RECIST criteria * Recurrent disease within a prior radiation field can be considered to be measurable * Patients may have received 1 line of prior chemotherapy (but not a taxane) for locally advanced or metastatic disease * Patients may have received prior radiation therapy for locally advanced or metastatic disease (but must have completed the radiotherapy \> 6 months before recruitment) * No disease relapsed within 6 months of radiotherapy * No evidence of central nervous system metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * ECOG performance status 0-1 * Life expectancy ≥ 12 weeks * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm³ * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³ * Hemoglobin ≥ 10 g/dL * Urea and creatinine normal * Serum bilirubin normal * AST or ALT ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Alkaline phosphatase \< 2.5 times ULN * Negative pregnancy test * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months (female) or 2 months (male) after the last dose of the study treatment * No uncontrolled infection * No mental condition rendering the patient unable to understand the nature, scope, and possible consequences of the study * No prior malignancy like…