Docetaxel and cetuximab are FDA-approved for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Cisplatin and carboplatin, while not FDA-approved for SCCHN, have been used as standard of care in SCCHN patients in combination with other drugs. This study evaluates if weekly cisplatin and docetaxel, in combination with cetuximab, is effective in palliative treatment of patients with SCCHN. These drugs will be given intravenously weekly, repeated 3 of every 4 weeks until evidence of disease progression or unacceptable adverse events.

Primary Objective:To establish the response rate using RECIST 1 criteria to weekly TPC in patients with metastatic or relapsed squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck Secondary Objective: To establish the safety profile, progression free and overall survival of weekly TPC in this patient population.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of head and neck (SCCHN), including all pharynx, larynx, oral cavity, skin and para-nasal sinus sites. Patients with SCC of unknown primary presenting in the neck clinically compatible with head and neck mucosal primary sites are eligible.
• If prior chemoradiation, radiation, and/or surgery in the potentially curative setting, > 3 months has elapsed since the end of the potentially curative treatment ended
• If history of other malignancies treated curatively > 1 year prior to enrollment, no evidence of relapse at the time of enrollment
• If brain metastasis, central nervous system (CNS) imaging documents no evidence of CNS progression at least 30 days following definitive CNS treatment (resection or radiation)
• ≥ 16 years old
• Eastern cooperative oncology group (ECOG) Performance Status < 3
• Laboratory value requirements at enrollment:
• Absolute neutrophil count > 1500/mm³
• Platelet count > 100,000/mm³
• Hemoglobin > 8 g/dL
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) / alanine aminotransferase (ALT) < 2.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) unless liver metastases documented. If so, AST and ALT < 5 x ULN required.
• Total bilirubin < 1.5 x ULN, EXCEPT if Gilbert's syndrome is present. If so, total bilirubin < 2.5 x ULN
• Serum Creatinine < 1.5 mg/dL OR an estimated creatinine clearance from 24 hour urine collection > 50 mL/min
• Peripheral neuropathy < grade 2
• Hearing loss in best ear < grade 2 per Chang criteria if audiogram performed. Formal audiology is not required in patients with no clinical evidence of hearing loss at baseline.
• Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

• Prior palliative chemotherapy
• Active infections including HIV (EXCEPTION: HIV-positive patients on HAART with undetectable blood HIV levels, or with history or serological evidence of exposure to Hepatitis B without active infection are eligible)
• Prior grade 3 allergic or infusion reactions to docetaxel, cisplatin or cetuximab (EXCEPTION: a history of infusion reactions that were well-tolerated, at physician's discretion)
• Pregnant and/or lactating