Inclusion Criteria:

- > 18 years of age

- Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of HNSCC

- Stage III/IV, not suitable for surgery (definitive cure rate improbable, technically
unresectable or medical contraindication for surgery)

- At least one uni-dimensional measurable lesion either by CT scan or MRI

- Signed written informed consents prior to beginning protocol

Specific procedures:

- Tumor tissue available for immunohistochemical staining of EGFR expression and HPV

- Life expectancy of > 3 months at study entry

- ECOG Performance Status of <2 at study entry.

- Effective contraception if risk of conception exists.

- Neutrophils > 2.0/mm³, platelet count > 100,000/mm³, and hemoglobin > 10 g/dl

- Normal liver function

- Serum creatinine > 1.25 x ULN and/or creatinine clearance > 60 ml/min

Exclusion Criteria:

- Prior systemic chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy

- Known peripheral neuropathy > grade 2 NCI-CTC version 3.0

- Known chronic heart failure

- Prior surgery, excluding prior diagnostic biopsy

- Known drug abuse

- Active uncontrolled infection

- Other concomitant anticancer therapy

- Distant metastasis

- Concurrent chronic systemic immune therapy, chemotherapy for disease other than
cancer, or hormone therapy not indicated in the study protocol

- Clinically relevant coronary artery disease or history of a myocardial infarction
within the last 12 months before study entry

- Medical or psychological condition that would not permit the patient to complete the
trial or sign informed consent

- Nasopharyngeal carcinoma WHO type II or III

- Known allergic reaction against any of the components of the treatment

- Pregnancy (absence confirmed by beta-HCG test) or lactation period

- Any prior or on-going investigational medication

- Previous or current malignancy except basal cell carcinoma of the skin or
pre-invasive carcinoma of the cervix