Trial of VELCADE in Patients With Metastatic or Locally Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Inclusion Criteria: * Biopsy proven nasopharyngeal carcinoma - WHO type 3 (recurrence or metastases) * metastatic disease or locally recurrent disease not amendable curative therapy * Patients must have measurable disease * least one (not more than a total of three prior lines of chemotherapy for metastatic or recurrent disease). This must include at least 1 prior line of platinum-containing chemotherapy. * An ECOG performance status of 0-2 * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1500/mm3 * Hemoglobin 8g/dl (blood transfusion is allowed to correct hemoglobin level). * PLT ≥ 75,000/mm 3 * Total bilirubin ≤ 2 x upper normal limit (UNL) * Serum ALT ≤ 5 x UNL * Serum creatinine ≤ 2 mg/dL * Serum albumin ≥ 2.5 g/dL * No known history of brain or leptomeningeal metastasis. * ≥ 18 years of age. * Estimated life expectancy ≥ 24 weeks. * For sexually active women of childbearing potential, negative pregnancy test within 21 days of enrolling on trial. * must be able to give informed written consent Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who have not had at least 1 or more than 3 previous lines of treatment for metastatic or recurrent NPC * Prior BORTEZOMIB therapy * Immunotherapy ≤ 4 weeks have elapsed prior to study entry * Biologic therapy ≤ 4 weeks have elapsed prior to study entry * Radiation therapy ≤ 4 weeks have elapsed prior to study entry * Major surgery, or significant traumatic injury ≤3 weeks prior to study entry * Other concurrent chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, or any other therapy or supportive care considered investigational * Evidence of CNS involvement * Presence of \> grade 1 sensory peripheral neuropathy of any etiology OR grade 1 with neuropathic pain of any etiology. * Patients with significant local symptoms from metastases which is amenable to radiotherapy * History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to BORTEZOMIB. * History of other malignancy ≤ 3 years prior to study entry, except for adequately treated basal cell, squamous cell skin cancer or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. * Uncontrolled intercurrent illness * Patients who are pregnant or breast feeding (Sexually active men and women of childbearing potential must use contraception during course of therapy and within 3 months of completion of trial) Participation in another clinical trial involving therapeutic intervention within 4 weeks of enrollment. * Known history of HIV