Blood Sample Analysis in Predicting Overall Survival in Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer

Prediction of Overall Survival Using Mass Spectrometry Profiling in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Treated With Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors

RATIONALE: Studying samples of blood in the laboratory from patients with cancer may help doctors learn more about changes that occur in DNA and identify biomarkers related to cancer. It may also help doctors predict how patients will respond to treatment.

PURPOSE: This research study is looking at blood sample analysis in predicting overall survival in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVES:

• To validate the mass spectrometry profile that is predictive of survival benefit in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with EGFR inhibitors.

OUTLINE: Plasma and serum samples are analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and classified according to prognosis ("good" vs "poor") using a previously developed predictive algorithm.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

• Meets 1 of the following criteria:

  • Enrolled on clinical trial ECOG-E3301 and previously treated with irinotecan hydrochloride and docetaxel
  • Enrolled on clinical trial VU-VICC-HN-0501 and previously treated with docetaxel and bortezomib

• Plasma and serum samples available for analysis

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Not specified

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics