Platinum-Cetuximab Combined With Docetaxel or With 5FU in Patients With Recurrent/Metastatic HNSCC

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically confirmed diagnosis squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck: oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx (histological confirmation is mandatory at least for initial diagnosis)
* Recurrence and/or metastatic disease not suitable for local therapy
* At least one measurable lesion (RECIST) by CT or MRI
* PS \< 2
* Age ≥ 18 years and \< 71 years
* Clearance of creatinine \> 60ml/mn (MDRD)
* Haematological function as follows: absolute neutrophil count \> 1.5 x 109/l, platelet \> 100 x 109/l, hemoglobin ≥ 9.5 g/dl
* Hepatic function as followed: bilirubin ≤ Upper limit of normal (ULN); SGOT/SGPT \< 1.5 ULN; AP \< 2.5 ULN
* Estimated life expectancy \> 12 weeks
* Informed Consent Form signed
* Affiliation to an health insurance
* Negative pregnancy test in women of childbearing potential within 14 days prior to treatment initiation (premenopausal or less than 12 months of amenorrhea post-menopause, and who have not undergone surgical sterilization). Both men and women (of childbearing potential) who are sexually active must use adequate contraception, during and for at least 6 months post-treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with nasopharyngeal cancer, paranasal sinus cancer or unknown primary
* Prior systemic chemotherapy for the head and neck carcinoma, except if given as part of a multimodal treatment for locally advanced disease which was completed more than 6 months prior to study entry
* Surgery (excluding diagnostic biopsy) or radiotherapy within 6 weeks before study entry
* Contra-indication to receive cisplatin
* Known dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency
* Administration of prophylactic phenytoin
* Recent or planed yellow fever vaccination
* Prior dose of cisplatin \> 300 mg/m² (a patient who received prior RT + 3 cycles of cisplatin or 3 cycles induction TPF, i.e. total dose of cisplatin ≤ 300 mg/m², for locally advanced primary HN cancer can be included)
* Prior anti-EGFR treatment received less than 12 months before enrolment in the trial
* Known hypersensitivity reaction to 5FU, cisplatin, carboplatin, docetaxel or cetuximab
* Documented or symptomatic brain or leptomeningeal metastasis
* Clinically significant cardiovascular disease, e.g. cardiac failure of New York Heart Association classes III-IV, uncontrolled coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, uncontrolled arrhythmia, uncontrolled hypertension, or history of myocardial infarction in the last 12 months
* Malignancies within 5 years prior to randomization, with the exception of adequately treated basal or squamous cell skin cancer and carcinoma in situ of the cervix
* Active infection (infection requiring IV antibiotics), including active tuberculosis and known and declared human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
* Significant disease which, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for entry into the trial.
* Any social, personal, medical and/or psychologic factor(s) that could interfere with the observance of the patient to the protocol and/or the follow-up and/or the signature of the informed consent.
* Pregnant or breast feeding women