• safe recommended doses and dose regimen for oral MRX-1024 with concurrent chemoradiation.
  
• Identify toxicity profile of oral MRX-1024.
  
• Determine pharmacokinetic parameters of oral MRX-1024.
  

• Possibly show a trend in activity of MRX-1024 in preventing or reducing oral mucositis.
  

Inclusion Criteria:

• Biopsy-proved squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx or larynx;
• Status-post surgical resection of primary disease and meeting criteria for post-operative radiotherapy and chemotherapy by evidence of histologic extracapsular nodal extension, or histologic involvement of >2 regional lymph nodes, or mucosal margin of resection with invasive cancer (limited to microscopic detection only);
• Able to begin protocol treatment within 8 weeks of first tumor-related surgery;
• Age >18 years. Because no dosing or adverse event data are currently available on the use of MRX-1024 in combination with radiotherapy and cisplatin or carboplatin, in patients less than 18 years of age, children are excluded from this study, but will be eligible for future pediatric Phase 1 combination studies in appropriate indications when sufficient safety and efficacy data in adults are available.
• Karnofsky Performance Status of >70 (Appendix I);

• Normal organ and marrow function as defined herein, determined by laboratory values obtained within seven days prior to receiving the first dose of protocol treatment:

  • Serum creatinine within institutional limits of normal
  • Creatinine clearance >50
  • Total bilirubin within institutional limits of normal
  • AST(SGOT) and ALT(SGPT) <2.5 times the upper limit of normal for the institution
  • White blood cell count >3500 per cubic millimeter
  • Absolute neutrophil count >1500 per cubic millimeter
  • Platelet count >100,000 per cubic millimeter
• Ability to understand and the willingness to sign an informed consent document in accordance with institutional guidelines.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Gross (visible or palpable) disease left after surgical resection;
• Prior chemotherapy or radiation therapy to the head and neck region;
• Primary site of the lip, nasopharynx or paranasal sinuses;
• Distant metastases;
• Known malabsorption syndrome;
• Pregnancy or breast-feeding. The effects of MRX-1024 on the developing human fetus are unknown at this time. For this reason, women of childbearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control) for the duration of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect that she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately;
• Gastrointestinal tract disease or deformity resulting in an inability to take oral or enteral medication or nutrition;
• Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, untreated or new cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements;
• History of taking any investigational medication within 4 weeks prior to receiving the first dose of protocol treatment.
• Prior malignancy within the previous 5 years, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer and cervical cancer treated with local therapy.
• Known allergy or sensitivity to polysorbate 80 (Tween).