This pilot research trial studies circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in predicting outcomes in patients with stage IV head and neck cancer or stage III-IV non-small cell lung cancer. Studying circulating tumor DNA from patients with head and neck or lung cancer in the laboratory may help doctors predict how well patients will respond to treatment.
This pilot randomized phase I/II trial studies the side effects and best dose of PI3K inhibitor BKM120 when given together with cetuximab and to see how well it works in treating patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer. PI3K inhibitor BKM120 may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumors to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Giving PI3K inhibitor BKM120 together with cetuximab may kill more tumor cells
This pilot clinical trial studies transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in treating patients with benign or malignant tumors of the head and neck. TORS is a less invasive type of surgery for head and neck cancer and may have fewer side effects and improve recovery
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Start: July 2014
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