Could a lung cancer drug boost chemo for head and neck tumors?

NCT ID NCT01927744

Completed Disease control Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase 2 study tested whether adding the drug erlotinib to standard chemotherapy (docetaxel plus cisplatin or carboplatin) helps shrink head and neck tumors before surgery. 55 patients with advanced but operable head and neck cancer took part. The main goal was to see how many had a major response in the tumor after treatment.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: erlotinib (Tarceva) plus docetaxel and cisplatin or carboplatin
What this could lead to: If it works, adding erlotinib to standard chemo could shrink head and neck tumors more before surgery, potentially improving outcomes.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 55 participants. The benefit of erlotinib is unproven for this cancer, and side effects from the drug combination may be significant.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

head and neck cancer Head and Neck Neoplasms head and neck squamous cell carcinoma Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

HEAD AND NECK CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

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