Biomarkers in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Detection of DNA Mutations in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

RATIONALE: DNA analysis of tumor tissue may help doctors predict how well patients will respond to treatment.

PURPOSE: This research study is studying biomarkers in patients with head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVES:

• To determine the mutation rates of HRAS and PIK3CA in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who were treated with cisplatin/placebo and cisplatin/cetuximab on protocol ECOG-E5397.
• To determine the association between HRAS or PIK3CA mutation status and clinical benefits (i.e., response, progression-free survival, and overall survival) in patients treated with cisplatin/cetuximab compared with those receiving cisplatin/placebo on protocol ECOG-E5397.

OUTLINE: DNA is isolated from one unstained slide per patient. The mutations in HRAS and PIK3CA are determined using BEAMING technology.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Treated on protocol ECOG-E5397

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Not specified

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics