Phase II Evaluation of Weekly Cisplatin and Gemcitabine in the Treatment of Advanced (Recurrent or Metastatic) Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma of the head and
neck considered incurable with surgery or radiation therapy Bidimensionally measurable
disease or readily evaluable disease by either physical exam or radiography Biopsy proven
recurrence following completion of radiotherapy required if only site of measurable
disease is within a previous radiation port

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy:
Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 2000/mm3 Platelet count at
least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine no
greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Neurologic: Peripheral
sensory neuropathy no greater than grade 1 Other: No significant active infection
(patients with WBC of 12,000/mm3 or greater, or fever of 100.6 degrees F or higher, must
be evaluated to rule out occult infection) Not pregnant or nursing Effective contraception
required of fertile patients No active second malignancy

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Prior biologic therapy (interleukin-2,
interferon, monoclonal antibodies, and/or retinoids) permitted Recovered from prior
biologic therapy Chemotherapy: No more than one prior chemotherapy regimen for advanced or
relapsed disease No chemotherapy within 4 weeks prior to study Prior neoadjuvant or
radiosensitizing chemotherapy allowed Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: Prior
radiotherapy permitted Recovered from prior radiotherapy Surgery: Recovered from major
surgery