View clinical trials related to Head and Neck Neoplasms.
Filter by:Oxaliplatin-containing regimens have been safely and successfully used in combination with concurrent radiation in treatment of solid tumors such as rectal and esophageal cancers. The Lyon R0-04 phase II trial utilized the combination of Oxaliplatin, infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and radiation in the treatment of rectal cancer. The trial showed a combined preoperative chemoradiotherapy and Oxaliplatin-containing regimen is well tolerated with no increase surgical toxicity. The good response rate observed warrants its use in further clinical trials. The combination of oxaliplatin, 5-FU, and radiation also have been used in a Phase I/II trial in esophageal cancer. In this particular trial, eligibility included therapeutically naïve esophageal cancer subjects with clinical disease stages II to IV. Initial doses and schedules for cycle 1 consisted of Oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 on days 1, 15, and 29; continuous infusion of 5-FU 180 mg/m2 for 24 hours for 35 days; and radiation therapy (RT) 1.8 Gy in 28 fractions starting on day 8. At completion of cycle 1, eligible subjects could undergo an operation or begin cycle 2 without RT. Postoperative subjects were eligible for cycle 2. Stage IV subjects were allowed three cycles in the absence of disease progression. 38 subjects were treated (22 stage IV, 16 stage II-III). 38 eligible subjects received therapy: 22 non-invasively staged as IV and 16 non-invasively staged as IV and 16 non-invasively staged as II and III. 36 subjects completed cycle 1, 29 subjects started cycle 2, and 24 subjects completed cycle 2. The combined-modality therapy was well tolerated, but dose limiting toxicity (DLT) prevented Oxaliplatin and 5-FU escalation. No grade 4 hematologic toxicity was noted. Eleven grade 3 and two grade 4 clinical toxicities were noted in eight subjects. After cycle 1, 29 subjects (81%) had no cancer in the esophageal mucosa. 13 subjects underwent an operation with intent to resect the esophagus and 5 subjects (38%) exhibited pathologic complete responses. There was no surgical mortality. Only 1 subject developed post-operative tracheoesphageal fistula. The results of these trials described above indicated that combination of oxaliplatin and radiation is safe and efficacious and dose not compromise surgical wound healing, repair and clinical outcome.
The combination of oxaliplatin and gemcitabine is highly active in a wide variety of tumors including pancreatic, germ cell, breast, biliary, mesothelioma (Mitchell et al, 2002), and lung. In the last study which utilized days 1 and 8 gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 and days 1 and 8 oxaliplatin 65 mg/m2 in poor prognosis lung cancer patients (PS 1-3) the response rate was 16% with no incidence of febrile neutropenia. Toxicity is a crucial consideration when designing regimens intended for palliation. Toxicities associated with cisplatin can make it difficult to use in patients with Head and Neck Cancer (HNC), many of whom are elderly and have comorbidities. In addition, many patients with metastatic HNC have previously received cisplatin during neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy, or as part of their primary chemoradiation treatment. When these patients recur, it is possible their tumors have innate or acquired cisplatin resistance. Oxaliplatin is likely to be better tolerated than cisplatin containing regimens, especially with regards to neurotoxicity. Gemcitabine has shown promising activity as a single agent and in combination chemotherapy in the first line treatment of patients with HNC. A combination chemotherapy regimen using oxaliplatin and gemcitabine administered once every week is logical and worth exploring in patients with metastatic and recurrent head and neck cancer to improve the toxicity profile and patient monitoring while maintaining efficacy of the chemotherapy regimen.
The purpose of this research study is to measure acid reflux into the throat both before and after medical treatment in people who have had radiation therapy to their head and neck for the treatment of cancer. Many people who have received head and neck radiation therapy develop a dry mouth as a result of the radiation damage to their saliva glands. In addition to the discomfort associated with a dry mouth, the decrease in saliva may increase the severity of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (acid reflux). Acid reflux occurs when acid escapes from your stomach into your throat. You may not have any symptoms of acid reflux, but often it can cause symptoms of heartburn or chest discomfort. Acid reflux can be treated once it is diagnosed. Treatment consists of dietary changes, behavioral alterations, and medication. Medications are available that decrease the amount of acid in your stomach. Diagnosis of acid reflux is made with a pH-probe to test for acid in your throat.
Recent progress in treatment of recurrent/metastatic SCCHN has been made with the introduction of the taxanes. Docetaxel as a single agent has a response rate of 22-42% and 17% in patients with recurrent disease. Capecitabine is an oral fluoropyrimidine prodrug that is converted into 5-FU. Previous studies have shown that the capecitabine/docetaxel combination has a synergistic inhibition of tumor growth, resulting in significantly superior efficacy in time to disease progression (TTP), overall survival, median survival and objective tumor response rate compared to docetaxel alone. This trial will investigate the efficacy the combination of docetaxel and capecitabine in treating patients with recurrent/metastatic SCCHN.
This study will look at the genetic profile of cells taken from the oral cavity of healthy college students who smoke and who do not smoke cigarettes. This will be done using a small brush similar to that used in Pap tests for cervical cancer detection. Our aim is to determine if smoking causes early genetic changes in the DNA of these cells such as have been seen in the cells of cancerous tumors of the head and neck area and nearby healthy tissues. This will be correlated with data from subject questionnaires to assess tobacco use, and other behavior and demographic information.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate Medpulser electroporation (EPT) with bleomycin with regard to local tumor recurrence, disease-free survival, and overall survival rates versus surgery in recurrent or secondary primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the base of the tongue, posterior lateral pharyngeal wall, hypopharynx or larynx.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate Medpulser electroporation (EPT) with bleomycin with regard to local tumor recurrence, disease-free survival, and overall survival rates versus surgery in recurrent or secondary primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the anterior oral cavity, soft palate, or tonsil.
The purpose of this study is to find out whether adding ZD1839 to standard treatment (Cisplatin and Radiation Therapy) of unresectable head and neck cancers is better than cisplatin and radiation alone.
This research study is for subjects with squamous cell cancer of the head and neck which is not solely treatable with surgery or radiation. This research study involves treatment with an experimental chemotherapy combination of oxaliplatin and Taxotere. Tha main purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of this combination of medications for this type of cancer. Approximately 54 subjects will take part in this study.
This study seeks to establish the safety of gemcitabine, paclitaxel and low-dose radiation in recurrent, metastatic head and neck cancer through a two-stage dose escalation study, first with Gemcitabine dose escalation and then with low-dose radiation escalation. Treatment Schedule Treatment will be administered on an inpatient or outpatient basis. - Gemcitabine:2000 to 3000mg/m2 IV (in the vein) on days 1 and 15 every 28 days over 30-60 minutes. - Paclitaxel: 150 mg/m2 IV(in the vein)on days 1 and 15 every 28 days over 60 minutes. - Low Dose Radiation: 50-80 cGy twice daily on days 1, 2, 15, & 16 every 28 days at least 4 hours apart.