Radiation Therapy and Cisplatin With or Without Cetuximab in Treating Patients With Stage III or Stage IV Head and Neck Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer Clinical Trial

Official title: A Randomized Phase III Trial of Concurrent Accelerated Radiation and Cisplatin Versus Concurrent Accelerated Radiation, Cisplatin, and Cetuximab (C225) [Followed by Surgery for Selected Patients] for Stage III and IV Head and Neck Carcinomas

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Cisplatin may also make tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. Monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Giving radiation therapy and cisplatin together with cetuximab may kill more tumor cells. It is not yet known whether radiation therapy and cisplatin are more effective with or without cetuximab in treating head and neck cancer. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying radiation therapy, cisplatin, and cetuximab to see how well they work compared to radiation therapy and cisplatin in treating patients with stage III or stage IV head and neck cancer.

Clinical Trial Description

OBJECTIVES: Primary - Evaluate whether the addition of cetuximab to a concurrent radiation-cisplatin regimen will improve progression-free survival in patients with stage III or IV squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx. Secondary - Determine the impact of the addition of cetuximab to a concurrent radiation-cisplatin regimen on overall survival, local-regional control, acute and late toxic effects, quality of life, and health utilities in these patients. - Correlate the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its down-stream molecules with outcome in patients participating in this component of the trial. - Correlate pre-treatment positron emission tomography (PET) scan findings with progression-free survival, overall survival, and local-regional control in patients participating in this component of the trial. - Correlate post-treatment PET scan findings with nodal response and nodal relapse in patients participating in this component of the trial. OUTLINE: This is a randomized, controlled, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to primary site (larynx vs non-larynx), nodal stage (N0 vs N1, N2a, N2b vs N2c, N3), Zubrod performance status (0 vs 1), use of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) (no vs yes), and pre-treatment PET/CT scan (no vs yes). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms. NOTE: *A neck dissection is optional for patients with multiple lymph nodes or lymph nodes > 3 cm in diameter who achieve a complete clinical and radiographic response in the neck. Quality of life is assessed at baseline, once during the last 2 weeks of treatment, at 3 and 12 months from the start of treatment, and then annually for 4 years. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed periodically for 5 years and then annually thereafter. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Head and Neck Cancer
• Head and Neck Neoplasms

• NCT number: NCT00265941
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Radiation Therapy Oncology Group
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 3
• Start date: November 2005
• Completion date: May 20, 2022