A Phase II Study In Patients With Advanced Head And Neck Cancer Of Standard Chemoradiation And Add-On Cetuximab

Inclusion criteria: * T3-4 Nx M0; Tx N2b-3 M0 (N2b only if ≥ 3 ipsilateral nodes involved) and/or total GTV \> 70 cc (any T, any N, M0) * biopsy proven squamous cell cancer * primary tumor location in oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx or larynx * Patients with CUP (cancer of unknown primary) syndrome in case they have advanced lymph node metastases (Tx N2b-3 M0 (N2b only if ≥ 3 ipsilateral nodes involved).- Indication for chemoradiation (RT + Cisplatin) * curative treatment intent * Start of chemoradiation within the recruitment time frame * Performance Status WHO/ECOG: 0-1 * Age between 18 and 75 years * No previous chemotherapy or RT for cancer of the head and neck * Women of childbearing potential and male participants must agree to use a medically effective means of birth control throughout their participation in the treatment phase of the study (until at least 60 days following the last study treatment * Patient must sign informed consent prior to study entry. Exclusion criteria: * Cancer of the nasopharynx * Any neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to screening * Treatment with other investigational drugs within 4 weeks * History of malignancy other than basal cell skin cancer unless disease free for a minimum of 3 years. * Uncontrolled claudication, bleeding, or thromboembolic disorders at screening * Patients receiving heparin, warfarin or phenprocoumon therapy are ineligible- Uncontrolled and severe hypertension at screening according to the judgement of the investigator. * Current uncontrolled cardiac disease: Unstable angina, New York Heart Association (NYHA) Grade II or greater congestive heart failure, history of myocardial infarction within 12 months, significant arrhythmias * Left ventricular function \< 45 % (determination of left ventricular function required when history of cardiac disease) * History of stroke within 6 months * Major surgical procedure, or significant traumatic injury within 28 days prior to screening; anticipation of need for major surgical procedure during the course of the study. * Acute bacterial or fungal infection requiring intravenous antibiotics at screening * Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation or other respiratory illness requiring hospitalization or precluding study therapy at screening * Pregnant (positive pregnancy test) or lactating * Previous organ transplantation * Any immune suppressive therapy * Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) based upon current CDC definition because study treatment might be immuno-suppressive (Note: HIV testing only required if clinically indicated) * Any uncontrolled condition, which in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with the safe and timely completion of study procedures. * Preexisting renal insufficiency with impaired creatinine clearance (\<60ml/min) and/or increased plasma creatinine (\>106 µmol/l) at screening * History of abdominal fistula, gastrointestinal perforation, or intra- abdominal abscess within 6 months prior to screening * Serious, non-healing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture * AST, ALT, or bilirubin \> 1.5 x normal * Preexisting absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \< 1,800 cells/mm3 * Platelets \< 100,000 103/µl at screening * PTT \> 1.5 x normal * WBC \< 4000 103/µl * Hb \< 11 g/dl at screening (Note: The use of transfusion or other intervention to achieve Hb \> 11 g/dl is possible) * Contraindication to CDDP * Known allergy to cetuximab