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Lay Description

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.

Category

  • Lungs, Breathing and Bronchial
  • Genetics
IRB Number
20070644HU
NCT Number
ct.gov registration not required
Open to Enrollment
Yes

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

Study Design

Arm Groups

Study Contact


Italia Herrera
(210) 567-2687
herrerai1@uthscsa.edu

Johnnie Jones
(210) 450-7277
jonesj21@uthscsa.edu

Karl Mccloskey
mccloskeyk@uthscsa.edu

Lorannys Sanchez Tamarez
(210) 450-8332
sancheztamar@uthscsa.edu

Harjinder Singh
(210) 827-2437
singhh3@uthscsa.edu

Principal Investigator
Antonio Anzueto