Paclitaxel in Treating Patients With Advanced Head and Neck Cancer

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of paclitaxel in treating patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer.

Detailed Description
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OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the response rate and toxic effects of paclitaxel by 96 hour continuous infusion in chemotherapy naive and chemotherapy exposed patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. OUTLINE: Patients receive paclitaxel as a 96 hour continuous IV infusion. Courses repeat every 3 weeks for a maximum of 12 courses. Patients with disease progression after 2 courses or with unacceptable toxicity at any time are removed from study. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: Approximately 109 patients will be accrued for this study over 4 years.

Official Title
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Phase II Evaluation of Paclitaxel Infusion in Advanced (Recurrent or Metastatic) Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Conditions
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Head and Neck Cancer

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: paclitaxel


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (including nasopharynx) that is considered incurable with surgery or radiation therapy Bidimensionally measurable disease Patients whose only site of measurable disease is within a previous radiation port must have documented progressive disease or biopsy-proven recurrence after the completion of radiotherapy No uncontrolled CNS metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0 or 1 Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Calcium normal No history of hypercalcemia Cardiovascular: No history of ventricular arrhythmias or symptomatic bradyarrhythmia Other: No significant detectable infection Not pregnant or nursing No other active malignancies Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Prior interleukin-2, interferons, and monoclonal antibodies allowed Recovered from prior therapy Chemotherapy: Prior paclitaxel infusion no greater than 24 hours for recurrent or metastatic disease required Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: Recovered from prior radiotherapy Surgery: Recovered from any prior major surgery

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 120 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Drug: paclitaxel|nan|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the lip and oral cavity, recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the lip and oral cavity, stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx, recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx, stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx, recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx, stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the paranasal sinus and nasal cavity, recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the paranasal sinus and nasal cavity