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

PURPOSE: This research study is studying biomarkers of response in blood and tumor tissue samples from patients with unresectable stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck previously treated with cetuximab, cisplatin, and radiation therapy.

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

• To expand upon the list of molecular correlates indicated in clinical trial ECOG-E3303, including EGFR expression, EGFR phosphorylation, map kinase, AKT, and STAT3.
• To correlate the status or expression level of each biomarker with clinical outcome (response, progression-free survival, overall survival).

OUTLINE: Archived tumor and blood specimens are analyzed for human papilloma virus and p16 status; EGFR gene amplification; levels of ERCC1, XPF, and c-Met proteins; expression and activation of several signaling pathways including PI3 kinase gene and mTOR; levels of ErbB2, ErbB3, P70S6 kinase, S6 , and Akt; expression of amphiregulin (AR), TGF-alpha (TGF-α), heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), EGF, epiregulin and c-Met ligand, and hepatocyte growth factor by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), automated in situ quantitative measurements of protein analysis (AQUA), IHC, PCR, and ELISA.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

  • Stage IV disease
  • Unresectable disease

• Treated with cetuximab, cisplatin, and radiotherapy on clinical trial ECOG-E3303

• Archived blood and tumor tissue samples available

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Not specified

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics

Samples from patients enrolled on E3303 from whom samples were submitted for research