Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Research Articles

Anti-LAG-3 antibody LBL-007 in combination with anti-PD-1 antibody tislelizumab with or without chemotherapy in patients with advanced nasopharyngeal cancer and other malignant tumors: A phase Ib/II dose escalation/expansion study.

6033 Background: Dual inhibition of PD-1 and LAG-3 is expected to synergistically increase immune response against tumor growth while chemotherapy can enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy through various mechanisms. Here we report the safety and efficacy of LBL-007 (anti-LAG-3) in combination with tislelizumab (anti-PD1) with or without chemotherapy in advanced solid tumors (Phase Ⅰb) and previously untreated patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) (Phase II). Methods: In phase Ⅰb, patients with relapsed and refractory advanced solid tumor received LBL-007 (300 or 600 mg) plus tislelizumab (200 mg) (both i.v. Q3W), and in phase Ⅱ, patients with previously untreated recurrent or metastatic NPC patients received LBL-007 (600 mg) plus tislelizumab (200 mg) in combination with GC chemotherapy [gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2) and cisplatin (80mg/m2)] (i.v. Q3W). The primary endpoints were tolerability, safety, and efficacy. Results: Updated data with more follow up including duration of response and progression free survival will be available to report at the meeting. As of January 10, 2024, 21 patients (4 NPC, 7 NSCLC, 7 melanoma and 3 others) and 42 NPC patients were enrolled in in phase Ⅰb and phase Ⅱ respectively. The median follow-up was 13.1 months. During the study, no Dose limiting Toxicity (DLT) was observed, and Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) was determined to be 600mg Q3W for both chemo and chemo free regimens. In phase II, all grades TRAEs occurred in 39 patients (92.9%), with grade ≥3 TRAE in 24/42 patients (57.1%). The most common TRAEs (≥20%) included white blood cell count decreased, neutrophil count decreased, anaemia, ALT increased, AST increased, platelet count decreased, nausea, hyponatraemia, hypochloraemia, blood creatinine increased, vomiting, and hypothyroidism. Treatment interruption due to TEAEs occurred in 31 (73.8%) patients. 13 patients (31%) experienced SAEs. 1 patient experienced Grade 5 AE due to exacerbation of cachexia unrelated to LBL-007/tislelizumab. The clinical efficacy is shown in the table. Conclusions: LBL-007/tislelizumab combination is well-tolerated in patients with advanced malignant tumors. LBL-007/tislelizumab/GC combination showed manageable, no new safety concerns and encouraging antitumor activity in previously untreated and advanced NPC patients. The encouraging efficacy and safety profile may support a pivotal study with LBL-007 in combination with tislelizumab and GC chemotherapy for NPC development in 1L setting. Clinical trial information: NCT05516914 . [Table: see text]

Induction-concurrent versus concurrent-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with high-risk N2–3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma: An open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial.

6072 Background: It remains uncertain which chemotherapy sequence is more effective for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of induction-concurrent with concurrent-adjuvant chemotherapy in high-risk N2–3 NPC. Methods: We conducted an open-label, phase 3, single-centre, randomised controlled trial. Patients aged 18–65 years with stage T1-4N2-3M0 (AJCC 7th staging system) and pretreatment Epstein–Barr virus DNA level ≥1500 copies/ml were enrolled. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive paclitaxel liposome (135 mg/m² intravenously on day 1), cisplatin (25 mg/m² intravenously on days 1-3), and fluorouracil (3.75g/m² continuous intravenous infusion for 120 h) induction chemotherapy once every 3 weeks, for 3 cycles, followed by concurrent cisplatin (100 mg/m² intravenously) on days 1, 22, and 43 of intensity-modulated radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by fluorouracil (4 g/m² in continuous intravenous infusion for 96 h) and cisplatin (80 mg/m² intravenously on day 1) once every 4 weeks, for 3 cycles. Randomisation was performed using computer-generated random number code with a block size of 6, stratified by nodal category (N2 or N3). The primary endpoint was 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) in the intention-to-treat population. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (number NCT03306121). Results: Between 20 November 2017 and 19 March 2021, 162 patients were assigned to the induction-concurrent group and 162 to the concurrent-adjuvant group. Regarding the data cutoff (20 January 2024), the median follow-up period was 51.7 months. The 3-year PFS rates were 73.4% (95%CI 65.9%-79.5%) in the induction-concurrent group and 69.8% (95%CI 62.0%-76.2%) in the concurrent-adjuvant group (HR 0.85, [95%CI 0.58-1.26], P=0.43). Patients in the induction-concurrent group had significantly better 3-year distant metastasis-free survival rate at 81.4% (95% CI, 74.5%–86.6%) compared with those in the concurrent-adjuvant group at 71.0% (95% CI, 63.3%–77.3%) (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.42–0.98; p=0.04). There were no differences on overall survival and locoregional failure-free survival between the two groups. The most common acute grade 3 + adverse events were leukopenia (53 [33.1%] of 160 in the induction-concurrent group vs. 47 [33.1%] of 142 in the concurrent-adjuvant group), neutropenia (51 [31.9%] vs. 32 [22.5%]), and mucositis (47 [29.4%] vs. 42 [29.6%]). The most common grade 3 + late adverse event was auditory or hearing loss (10 [6.3%] vs. 12 [8.5%]). Conclusions: Induction-concurrent chemotherapy does not significantly improve PFS compared with concurrent-adjuvant chemotherapy in high-risk N2–3 NPC. Long-term follow-up is required to determine long-term efficacy and toxicities. Clinical trial information: NCT03306121 .

Gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy plus penpulimab combined with or without anlotinib as neoadjuvant therapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A prospective, phase II clinical trial.

e18038 Background: Patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC) still have a risk of disease relapse after receiving the standard treatment of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Nowadays, PD-1 inhibitors have been widely used in recurrent or metastatic NPC, but the efficacy in LANPC requires further investigation. Besides, the synergistic antitumor effects between immune checkpoint inhibitors and anti-angiogenesis agents have been well established. In this phase II trial, we compared the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine and cisplatin (GP) + penpulimab (PD-1 inhibitor) combined with or without anlotinib (VEGFR-targeted TKI) as neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for LANPC to establish the optimal regimen. Methods: Patients with LANPC (stage III–IVa, AJCC 8th Staging System, excluding T3–4N0 and T3N1 with only retropharyngeal lymph node +) were enrolled. In the first stage, patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive 3 cycles of GP + penpulimab (200 mg, day 1, Q3W) combined with or without anlotinib (10 mg, days 1 to 14, Q3W) for 3 cycles. All patients were followed by CCRT and penpulimab maintenance treatment. The primary endpoint in the first stage was the clinical complete response (CR) rate after NAT based on endoscopy and imaging examinations. A pick-the-winner statistical design was applied and the regimen with a higher CR rate ( > 2.5%) was the winner. In the second stage, patients were continuingly enrolled and treated with the winner regimen; the primary endpoint was 3-year progression-free survival. Results: In the first stage, 60 patients were enrolled between August 2022 and April 2023 (30 patients in each arm). After NAT, 27 patients (45.0%) had CR, with 11 patients (36.7%; 95% CI, 18.4% to 55.0%) in the GP + penpulimab arm and 18 patients (60.0%; 95% CI, 41.4% to 78.6%) in the GP + penpulimab + anlotinib arm (winner regimen). In the second stage, 45 patients were enrolled between June 2023 and October 2023 and treated with GP + penpulimab + anlotinib. Among all 75 patients receiving the winner regimen, the CR rate was 53.3% (95% CI, 41.8% to 64.9%) after NAT. Acute adverse events (AEs) during NAT and CCRT were analyzed. In the first stage, grade 3-4 acute AEs were reported in 22 (73.3%) patients in the GP + penpulimab arm and 26 (86.7%) patients in the GP + penpulimab + anlotinib arm. The most common grades 3-4 acute AEs in the GP + penpulimab arm and GP + penpulimab + anlotinib arm were neutropenia (40% vs 46.7%), leukopenia (40% vs 30%) and mucositis (33.3% vs 36.7%). Among all 75 patients receiving additional anlotinib, the incidence of grade 3-4 acute toxicities was 85.3%. Conclusions: GP + penpulimab + anlotinib regimen showed encouraging efficacy as NAT for LANPC. This finding requires validation in longer follow-up and larger phase III clinical trials. Clinical trial information: NCT05193617 .

Long-term survival, toxicities, and the role of chrono-chemotherapy with different infusion rates in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy: A retrospective study with a 5-year follow-up.

e18003 Background: This study aimed to evaluate 5-year outcomes and the late toxicity profile of chrono-chemotherapy with different infusion rates in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: Our retrospective analysis included 70 patients with locally advanced NPC stages III and IVB (according to the 2010 American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system). Patients were treated with two cycles of induction chemotherapy (IC) before concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) at the affiliated cancer hospital of Guizhou medical university. The IC with docetaxel, cisplatin (DDP) and fluorouracil regimen. Patients were divided into two groups during CCRT. Using a “MELODIE” multi-channel programmed pump, DDP (100 mg/m2) was administered for 12 hours from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm and repeated every 3 weeks for 2-3 cycles. DDP was administered at the peak period of 4:00 pm in the sinusoidal chrono-modulated infusion group (Arm A, n = 35). The patients in Arm B received a constant rate of infusion. Both arms received radiotherapy through the same technique and dose fraction. The long-term survival and disease progression were observed. Results: After a median follow-up of 82.8 months, the 5-year progression-free survival rate was 81.3% in Arm A and 79.6% in Arm B (P = 0.85). The 5-year overall survival rate was not significantly different between Arm A and Arm B (79.6% vs 85.3%, P = 0.79). The 5-year distant metastasis-free survival rate was 83.6% in Arm A and 84.6% in Arm B (P = 0.75). The 5-year local recurrence-free survival rate was 88.2% in Arm A and 85.3% in Arm B (P = 0.16). There were no late toxicities of grade 3-4 in either group. Both groups had grade 1-2 late toxicities. Dry mouth was the most common late toxic side effect, followed by hearing loss and difficulty in swallowing. There was no statistically significant difference between Arm A and Arm B in terms of side effects. Conclusions: Long-term analysis confirmed that in CCRT, cisplatin administration with sinusoidal chrono-modulated infusion was not superior to the constant infusion rate in terms of long-term toxicity and prognosis.

Economic evaluation of the novel PD-1 inhibitor toripalimab in recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Cost-efficiency and expanded access modeling versus pembrolizumab.

e18015 Background: Toripalimab, a novel anti-PD-1 antibody recently approved in the US as a breakthrough therapy in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin (GemCis) for first-line treatment of adults with metastatic or recurrent locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (R/M NPC), is a category 1, NCCN-recommended preferred regimen. Although not FDA-approved for this indication, other PD-1 inhibitors, including pembrolizumab, are NCCN-recommended in combination with GemCis (category 2A but without direct evidence). The wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) of toripalimab at market entry is 80% that of pembrolizumab. This simulation modeling evaluates the cost-efficiency of toripalimab+GemCis versus pembrolizumab+GemCis in R/M NPC and the budget-neutral expanded access to the toripalimab regimen enabled by savings. Methods: Utilizing WAC drug costs and treatment administration costs, we modeled the cost-efficiency over a treatment duration equivalent to the toripalimab JUPITER-02 trial median PFS of 21.4 months (m). Without trial evidence for pembrolizumab+GemCis in R/M NPC, we assumed that such a regimen would be comparable to toripalimab+GemCis in median PFS. We also assumed that 31 cycles of PD-1 inhibitor (with GemCis in cycles 1-6) are administered over a median PFS of 21.4m. Using the cost-efficiency savings, we simulated the potential for budget-neutral expanded access to toripalimab treatment. A second model utilizing an ex ante toripalimab average sales price (ASP) of 80% of pembrolizumab ASP was estimated. Results: The WAC model estimated the toripalimab regimen to cost $292,316 (all agents over 21.4m or 31 cycles) while the pembrolizumab regimen costs $361,229, for savings of $68,913 per patient. These savings enable 7.7 additional toripalimab maintenance cycles to be purchased on a budget-neutral basis for every patient treated. For every 4.24 patients treated with toripalimab+GemCis instead of pembrolizumab+GemCis, one additional patient can be treated with the full toripalimab regimen (all agents) for 21.4m. Extrapolated to the 2024 US incident R/M NPC population of 1207 patients, if 50% of patients are treated with toripalimab+GemCis instead of pembrolizumab+GemCis savings of $41,589,183 provide access to 4,513 additional toripalimab maintenance cycles or 142 full toripalimab regimens (all agents for 21.4m) budget-neutrally. Similar results were demonstrated in the ASP model. Conclusions: With a market entry WAC that is 20% lower than pembrolizumab, toripalimab can generate approximate savings of $69,000 per patient over the median PFS treatment duration of 21.4m. If 50% of R/M NPC incident patients are treated with toripalimab, savings provide access to the full toripalimab+GemCis regimen to an additional 142 patients—effectively raising the treatment rate to 62% at no additional cost.

Endostar combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy versus concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC): A phase III, prospective, randomised-controlled, multicenter clinical trial.

6002 Background: Cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) has long been regarded as standard treatment for LA-NPC. However, approximately 30% of patients still fail to obtain a satisfactory effect. Endostar (Rh-endostatin), an anti-angiogenesis inhibitor, is well-tolerated and has been reported as a promising complement to CCRT. This trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding Endostar to CCRT for LA-NPC. Methods: In this prospective, randomized phase III study, patients with LA-NPC (stage III-IVb, 7th edition) were enrolled at 6 centers in China, and randomly assigned (1:1) to receive Endostar plus CCRT (CCRT+E group, n=150) or CCRT alone (CCRT group, n=150). Endostar (7.5 mg/m2/day, days 1-10, 15 days/cycle) was given continuously intravenously for 5 cycles (3 concurrent from 5 days before radiotherapy, and 2 adjuvant from the first day after the completion of radiotherapy). The primary endpoint was the progress-free survival (PFS) rate. The secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), local-regional relapse-free survival (LRRFS), the rate of complete response (CR) at 3 months after RT, and safety. Results: Between November 2016 and July 2020, 300 patients with LA-NPC were randomized (CCRT+E group, 150; CCRT group, 150). As of the data cutoff (December 2023), the median follow-up was 66 months. Intention-to-treat analysis showed that patients in the CCRT+E group achieved better CR rate at 3 months after RT (90.0% vs 80.7%, P=0.022). The 3-year PFS was 84.8% in the CCRT+E group, and 75.1% in the CCRT group (HR, 0.544; 95% CI, 0.336-0.879; Plog-rank=0.011). The 3-year OS was 89.2% vs. 85.3% (HR, 0.595; 95% CI, 0.361-0.982; Plog-rank=0.039). The 3-year DMFS was 89.7% vs. 80.5% (HR, 0.468; 95% CI, 0.266-0.821; Plog-rank=0.007). The 3-year LRRFS was 91.5% vs. 90.8% (HR, 0.808; 95% CI, 0.407-1.604; Plog-rank=0.541). Patients in the CCRT+E group and in the CCRT group had similar Grade 3-4 acute and late toxicity profile (61.7% vs. 65.3%, p=0.519 and 8.0% vs.7.3%, p=0.815). Conclusions: The addition of Endostar to standard CCRT significantly improved the 3-year PFS of LA-NPC patients with good safety profile. Clinical trial information: NCT02907710 .

Tislelizumab versus placebo combined with induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy and adjuvant tislelizumab or placebo for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Interim analysis of a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase 3 trial.

6001 Background: Patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC) have a risk of disease relapse after induction chemotherapy (IC)-concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Early phase trials indicated that tislelizumab (PD-1 inhibitor) plus IC followed by CCRT have the potential to deepen responses and extend survival in LANPC. Here, we report the interim results of a phase 3 trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tislelizumab plus IC, followed by CCRT and adjuvant tislelizumab therapy in LANPC. Methods: Patients with high-risk LANPC (stage III-IVa, AJCC 8th Staging System, excluding T3N0, and T3N1 with retropharyngeal lymph nodes +) were randomized (1:1) to receive 200 mg tislelizumab or placebo + gemcitabine and cisplatin (GP) every 3 weeks (Q3W) for 3 cycles, followed by CCRT and adjuvant tislelizumab or placebo Q3W for up to an additional 8 cycles. Stratification factors were center and disease stage (III or IVa). Dual primary endpoints were complete response rate (CRR) after induction therapy and progression-free survival (PFS) per RECIST 1.1 by investigator under blinded review. The planned interim analysis (IA) for evaluating the first primary endpoint, CRR, was scheduled at 4 weeks after the completion of induction therapy to test whether addition of tislelizumab to standard IC significantly improved CRR, with allocated alpha at 0.005. Results: Between June 2022, and May 2023, 450 patients were randomized to tislelizumab arm (n = 223) and placebo arm (n = 227). Baseline characteristics were balanced between the two arms. At IA, 93.7% and 93.8% of patients completed 3 cycles of induction therapy in tislelizumab arm and placebo arm, respectively. Significant improvement in CRR was observed in tislelizumab arm vs placebo arm in the intent-to-treat population (ITT) (30.5% vs 16.7%; P = 0.0006). Improvement in CRR in tislelizumab arm vs placebo arm was consistent across key subgroups including disease stage (III [33.8% vs 20.7%]; IVa [28.7% vs 14.5%]), sex (male [28.3 % vs 15.7%]; female [38.0% vs 19.7%]), and ECOG PS (PS of 0 [28.8% vs 16.2%]; PS of 1 [40.6% vs 19.4%]). The ORR was 93.3% in the tislelizumab arm and 90.7% in the placebo arm. In safety population (tislelizumab arm, n=219; placebo arm, n=224), the incidence of Grade ≥3 TEAEs (40.6% vs 39.3%) and SAEs (2.3% vs 1.3%) were similar between two arms. Conclusions: The trial met its first primary endpoint with a statistically significant improvement of CRR with the addition of tislelizumab to standard IC in high-risk LANPC. Induction therapy with tislelizumab plus GP was generally well tolerated with manageable safety profile. Continued follow-up is being conducted to assess long-term efficacy and safety. Clinical trial information: NCT05211232 .

Sequential chemoradiotherapy versus induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A multicentre, open-label, non-inferiority, randomised, phase 3 trial.

6075 Background: Induction chemotherapy (IC) plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) has been regarded as standard treatment for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC) due to its favorable disease control. Now, distant metastasis was the main cause of failure. However, concurrent cisplatin is associated with intolerable toxicities and ineffective in preventing distant metastasis. Since IMRT enhances the local control and chemotherapy before or after radiotherapy decreases the risk of distant failure, it is worth exploring whether sequential chemoradiotherapy (SCRT) regimen could replace IC+CCRT for patients with LA-NPC. Methods: This open-label, phase 3, non-inferiority clinical trial was conducted from January 2018 to September 2021 in 6 centers in China. Patients aged 18–65 years with stage T1-4N2-3 or T3-4N0-1 M0 NPC were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 2 cycles of IC with GP regimen (gemcitabine 1000mg/m2 d1,8 + cisplatin 25 mg/m2 d1-3, q21d) plus IMRT, followed by 2 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) with the same regimen or IC with GP regimen for 2 cycles followed by IMRT plus concomitant weekly cisplatin (30 mg/m²). The primary endpoint was 3-year failure-free survival (FFS) with non-inferiority margin of 10% (HR<1.6) and the incidence of grade ≥3 acute mucositis during radiotherapy. Efficacy analysis and safety analysis were dividedly performed in the intention-to-treat and safety population. Results: A total of 420 patients were randomly assigned to SCRT group (n = 210) or IC+CCRT group (n = 210). With a median follow-up of 47.0 months (IQR: 35.0-57.8), the 3-year FFS was 84.0% in SCRT group versus 79.8% in IC+CCRT group (log rank P=0.344), with an HR of 0.804 (95% CI, 0.510 to 1.266) and absolute difference of 4.2% (95% CI, -3.2 to 11.6). No significant differences were observed between groups in 3-year overall survival (97.4% vs. 94.5%; HR 0.413; 95% CI, 0.159 to 1.076; log rank P=0.061), locoregional control (91.7% vs. 88.8%; HR 0.767; 95% CI, 0.420 to 1.401; log rank P=0.386), or distant metastasis-free survival (93.6% vs. 91.5%; HR 0.756; 95% CI, 0.376 to 1.520; log rank P=0.430). Compared with IC+CCRT group, the SCRT group had significantly lower incidences of grade ≥3 acute nonhematological AEs due to the omission of concurrent chemotherapy (including acute mucositis 29.0% vs. 41.9%, P<0.001; nausea 9.5% vs. 18.1%, P=0.011; and vomiting 3.8% vs. 9.5%, P=0.019), and higher incidences of grade ≥3 acute hematological AEs (including thrombocytopenia and leukopenia) due to the additional AC. Conclusions: For LA-NPC, SCRT was not inferior in 3-year FFS to IC+CCRT. It might be an alternative treatment for LA-NPC patients with fewer sever nonhematological AEs during IMRT. Clinical trial information: NCT03366415 .

Is the gemcitabin cisplatin doublet the optimal induction chemotherapy for non-Asian patients with NPC? Insights from a northeastern Moroccan cohort.

e18057 Background: According to the latest guidelines for NPC, induction chemotherapy followed by concomitant chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) is recommended as the preferred standard of care for patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (stage III-Iva). However, the optimal regimen for induction chemotherapy (IC) in patients with locally advanced NPC remains uncertain. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study between January 2016 and October 2022 at the "CHU Hassan II" Oncology Hospital in Fes, Morocco, to compare the efficacy and tolerability of two platinum-based induction therapy regimens: cisplatin gemcitabine (GC) and cisplatin doxorubicin (DP), in the treatment of newly diagnosed locally advanced NPC. The main objectives of this study were to compare the efficacy including objective response rates (ORR), PFS ,OS and safety. Results: After eligibility assessment, we included 105 cases (62 patients in the DP group and 43 in the GC group), including 65 men and 40 women, with a mean age of 49.5 years (range = 19-79years) and a Karnofsky score ranging from 87% to 100%. 34% of patients were diagnosed at stage IVA. In the DP group, 3% of patients (2 out of 62) achieved a complete response CR, 60% achieved a partial response PR,25% remained stable SD and 19% experienced progression. In the GC group, 2% of patients (1 out of 43) achieved a CR, 39.5% achieved a PR, 39.5% remained stable, and 19% experienced progression. A statistically significant difference in PR was observed between the two groups (p = 0.028) ,and the difference in terms of progression is approaching the limit of significance (p=0,06) after a median follow-up of 27 months (5,3 -82). The 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 70% in the DP group compared to 80% in the GC group; the 2-year overall survival (OS) was 75% in the DP group and 90% in the GC group. No significant survival difference was observed between the two groups Patients in the DP group exhibited less grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia but more grade 3-4 leukopenia and neutropenia compared to the GC group. Conclusions: In patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma, GC-based induction chemotherapy demonstrated superior ORR over the DP regimen with acceptable toxicities. Further studies are needed to validate these results.

Efficacy of nimotuzumab added to concurrent chemoradiotherapy after induction chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

6024 Background: To investigate the efficacy and toxicities associated with adding nimotuzumab to concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC) patients who received induction chemotherapy (IC). Methods: Patients with stage III-IVA nasopharyngeal carcinoma who received IC (TPF/TP/GP) and platinum-based CCRT between January 2017 and October 2021 were retrospectively included. We performed propensity score matching (PSM) to balance and control confounding factors, and the matching variables included gender, age, T stage, N stage, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) status. Patients were divided into two treatment groups: CCRT+nimotuzumab (200mg iv, weekly for 7 courses) and CCRT alone. Primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), the secondary endpoints were locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). Results: We screened 242 patients in the analysis. After PSM, 121 (50.0%) and 121 (50.0%) had CCRT+nimotuzumab and CCRT alone, respectively. The 3-year OS was 95.4% and 88.0% in those with and without nimotuzumab treatment (P=0.041), and the 3-year DFS of the CCRT+nimotuzumab group was significantly better than that in the CCRT alone group (90.3% vs. 77.5%, P=0.003). Similar LRFS was found between those with and without nimotuzumab treatment (96.5% vs. 93.7%, P=0.297). The 3-year DMFS for CCRT+nimotuzumab versus CCRT alone was 92.9% versus 82.5% (P=0.008). No significant differences in major toxicities were found between the two treatment arms including hematologic toxicities, hepatoxicity, nephrotoxicity, gastrointestinal reactions, and mucositis (P>0.05). Conclusions: The addition of nimotuzumab to CCRT after IC in LANPC has shown promising results in treatment outcomes and acceptable toxicities.

A prospective multicenter trial of dose escalation for weekly gemcitabine concurrent with intensity-modulated radiotherapy following cisplatin and gemcitabine induction chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

6071 Background: Gemcitabine and cisplatin induction chemotherapy, followed by cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy, constitutes the standard treatment for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC). However, the substantial cumulative dosage of cisplatin used in this approach renders it intolerable for many patients due to advanced age or compromised renal function. Therefore, identifying alternative chemotherapeutic agents is crucial. Gemcitabine is a potent radiosensitizer with an overall favorable safety profile. Despite extensive research on the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of concurrent gemcitabine chemotherapy in head and neck cancer, its MTD as a single-agent chemotherapy concurrently administered with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in LANPC remains uncertain. Methods: Patients diagnosed with stage III-IVa nasopharyngeal carcinoma were prospectively enrolled in three hospitals located within the largest NPC endemic area in southern China. After two cycles of cisplatin plus gemcitabine induction chemotherapy, patients underwent combined concurrent radiochemotherapy (70 Gy/6-7 weeks) with weekly gemcitabine. The initial dose level was set at 25mg/m2 and subsequently escalated in a sequential manner to higher doses of 50mg/m2, 100mg/m2, 200mg/m2, and 300mg/m2 etc. Our study employed a dose escalation strategy in which the dosage was incremented to the next group only if no more than one out of six patients experienced Dose-Limiting Toxicity (DLT), until DLT occurred in at least two patients. Patients underwent follow-up evaluations every three months. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov under NCT04522050. Results: Between October 2018 and December 2023, a total of 39 Chinese patients were enrolled, 36 (27 males, 9 females) patients were considered evaluable. The incidence of DLT was observed in two out of six patients receiving a dosage level of 300 mg/m², with both cases presenting Grade 3 oral mucositis. Subsequently, the study was replicated using the same dosage level, resulting again in two instances of DLT: one case with Grade 3 radiation dermatitis and another case with oral mucositis. Consequently, a reduced dosage level of 200mg/m² was determined as MTD. No significant hematological toxicity or serious gastrointestinal adverse events were observed. Tumor response evaluation by MRI after twelve weeks of IMRT showed a complete response rate of 100%. To date, only two cases (5.56%) have been reported exhibiting tumor recurrence. Conclusions: The MTD for weekly gemcitabine with IMRT following induction chemotherapy in LANPC is determined to be 200 mg/m2. The DLT associated with this treatment regimen primarily consists of radiation dermatitis and/or oral mucositis. Clinical trial information: NCT04522050 .

Induction chemotherapy with nab-paclitaxel plus nedaplatin plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A retrospective real-world study.

e18056 Background: Although induction chemotherapy (IC) plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is recommended as standard treatment option of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), the IC regimens conduct further study. Therefore, this study was evaluated the efficacy and safety of IC with nab-paclitaxel and nedaplatin followed by CCRT in locally advanced NPC. Methods: In this retrospective real-world study, 295 patients was enrolled, and all received nab-paclitaxel (260mg/m2/d) and nedaplatin (80mg/m2/d) –based IC every 3 weeks. Results: All patients completed the treatment plans. The ORR were 95.3% in the NP and 96.9% in the neck after IC, respectively. At the end of CCRT, the ORR were 97.3% in the NP and 97.3% in the neck nodes, respectively. 3 years survival outcomes were 96.4% of OS, 95.7% of LRRFS, 93.7% of DMFS, and 89.8% of PFS, respectively. During IC, all treatment-related adverse events occurred in 43.2%. The most frequent grade 3 toxicities were neutropenia (7.8%), leucopenia (4.4%), anaemia (0.3%), thrombopenia (2.4%) and hepatic injury (3.1%), respectively. Conclusions: IC with nab-paclitaxel and nedaplatin showed promising efficacy and safety profile in locally advanced NPC.

Neoadjuvant docetaxel-cisplatin followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy and adjuvant tislelizumab for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A multicenter, single-arm, phase II trial.

e18047 Background: Patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC) have a high risk of distant metastasis or recurrence despite the current standard of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT), indicating the need of more comprehensive treatment. Due to good compliance and convenient adverse event management, the TP (docetaxel and cisplatin) regimen is more widely accepted and commonly used as a neoadjuvant chemotherapy for LA-NPC in the real world. Immune checkpoint blockade therapy plus chemotherapy has been shown to improve the survival in recurrent or metastatic NPC. We investigated the efficacy and safety of tislelizumab, an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, as adjuvant treatment in patients with LA-NPC that had the neoadjuvant TP chemotherapy and CCRT. Methods: This multicenter, open label, single arm, phase II clinical trial was done at four hospitals in China. Patients (aged 18-65 years) with histologically confirmed, LA-NPC (T4N1 and T1-4N2-3) were enrolled and treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for 3 cycles (docetaxel 75 mg/m2 D1, cisplatin 75 mg/m2 D1) followed by concurrent cisplatin (100mg/m2, D1 and D22) during intensity-modulated radiation (IMRT). Four weeks post-RT, tislelizumab (200 mg) was given intravenously once every 3 weeks for up to 12 cycles. By Fleming one-stage design (type I error 0.05, power 0.80, 10% drop out), planned sample size is 100. Primary endpoint is 3-year (yr) progression free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints include safety and tolerability. Results: From June 2021 to January 2024, a total of 100 patients (median age 53y, 73.0% male) were recruited at four study sites. This protocol specified analysis included 78 subjects with >12 months post-treatment follow up (median 26.2 months, 95% CI 21.3-30.1). Overall compliance rate: neoadjuvant cisplatin + docetaxel 97.5%, concurrent cisplatin 80.8%, adjuvant tislelizumab 78.2%, IMRT 99.7% (69.96 Gy). Treatment related adverse events (AEs, ≥grade 3, >10%): dysphagia (30.5%), mucositis (26.2%), neutropenia(26.7%), radiation dermatitis (23.7%), anemia (16.2%). No ≥grade 4 mucositis/dermatitis. In addition, the incidence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) of grade 3 or 4 was 5.2%, and all were thyroid toxicity and skin rash. The 2-yr PFS and 2-yr overall survival were 89.6% (95% CI 53.8 - 88.5%) and 100%, respectively. 3-yr PFS and long-term efficacy are awaited. Conclusions: Tislelizumab adjuvant therapy after neoadjuvant docetaxel -cisplatin followed by CCRT is safe with promising results for LA-NPC. However, further follow-up is needed to confirm the long-term efficacy. Clinical trial information: NCT04870905 .

Nivolumab combined with radical chemoradiotherapy sparing concurrent cisplatin in high-risk locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (PLATINUM): An investigator-initiated, open-label, multicenter, single-arm, phase II clinical trial.

6080 Background: The current standard therapy for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC) is radical chemoradiotherapy using induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy. However, concurrent cisplatin leads to severe acute (54.0–61.0%) and late (9.2–11.4%) toxicities. We hypothesized that nivolumab combined with radical chemoradiotherapy sparing concurrent cisplatin would obtain promising survival and low toxicity in high-risk LANPC. Methods: In this single-arm, phase II clinical trial (NCT03984357), patients with high-risk LANPC (T4N1M0 or T1–4N2–3M0) were recruited from 7 hospitals in China to receive nivolumab (360 mg once every 3 weeks for 3 cycles [Q3W x 3]) + induction chemotherapy (gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 + cisplatin 80 mg/m2, Q3W x 3), followed by nivolumab (360 mg, Q3W x 3) + intensity-modulated radiotherapy (PGTVnx, 70Gy/33fx), and thereafter adjuvant nivolumab (480 mg, Q4W x 6). The primary end point was 3-year failure-free survival (FFS), defined as the time from enrollment to any disease failure or death. Secondary end points were safety and quality-of-life (QoL) assessed by cellphone-based EORTC/FACT questionnaires. Results: Between April 2020 and October 2020, 152 patients (median [IQR] age, 49 [39–56] years; 18.4% women) were included. After a median follow-up of 39 months (≥ 36 months, 89.5%), the 3-yr FFS was 88.8% (95% CI, 83.9–94.0%) and the 3-yr overall survival was 98.0%. Sixty (40.2%) patients had grade 3–4 acute treatment-related adverse events (trAEs) throughout treatment; 11 (7.2%) were associated with potential immunologic causes mainly involving hepatic (aspartate aminotransferase increased, 3.3%) and skin toxicities (rash/dermatitis, 2.0%). A total of 123 patients completed all required treatment, including 6 cycles of adjuvant nivolumab, with an overall compliance rate of 80.9%. The incidences of grade 3–4 acute trAEs in the induction, radiotherapy, and adjuvant phases were 30.2%, 16.7%, and 6.0%, respectively; compliance rates, 95.4%, 96.5%, and 91.8%, respectively. Eight (5.2%) patients had grade 3–4 late trAEs, e.g., hearing impaired (3.3%) and dry mouth (0.7%). No treatment-related death was observed. Patients had consistent negative changes in general QoL from baseline between the radiotherapy and induction phases, except for the domains of global health status and physical function/well-being, which were more common during the radiotherapy phase. Conclusions: Nivolumab incorporated into induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy has a promising efficacy and low toxicity for high-risk LANPC patients. A phase 3 non-inferior randomized clinical trial assessing PD-1 blockade plus this de-intensified radical chemoradiotherapy is underway (NCT04907370). Clinical trial information: NCT03984357 .

The efficacy and safety of ulinastatin in the prevention and treatment of radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC): A multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled clinical trial.

6105 Background: Severe oral mucositis is a common radiation-induced toxicity in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC) patients treated with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT). Ulinastatin (UTI) can reduce the inflammatory response by inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors, but its role in radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis (RTOM) is unclear. Therefore, we conducted a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled clinical trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of UTI in the prevention and treatment of RTOM in LA-NPC patients. Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed LA-NPC who met the eligibility criteria were randomly assigned to UTI group and control group. All patients received radical intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and concurrent chemotherapy (cisplatin 100 mg/m2/3 weeks for 2 or 3 cycles). UTI of 100,000 units three times daily (5 days/week) was intravenously administrated from day 1 to the end of radiotherapy for UTI Group. The primary endpoint was the incidence of grade ≥ 3 acute RTOM during CCRT (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, RTOG grading). The secondary endpoints included the cumulative incidence of RTOM, recovery rate (proportion of patients with grade ≥ 3 RTOM who recovered to grade ≤ 2 during CCRT), the onset time and duration of grade ≥ 3 RTOM, oral pain (Numerical rating scale, NRS), safety and survival outcomes. Results: From January, 2018, to December, 2021, 182 patients from 5 hospitals were enrolled. 179 patients were included for efficacy, safety and survival analysis (89 in the UTI group and 90 in the control group). All UTI group patients completed UTI treatment as planned, and both groups completed scheduled CCRT. The incidence of grade ≥ 3 RTOM was significantly lower in UTI group compared with control group (25.8% vs. 41.1%; P = 0.030). The recovery rate in UTI group was higher than that in control group (39.1% vs. 10.8%; P = 0.023). However, the onset time and the duration of grade ≥ 3 RTOM were similar between the two groups (Median [IQR] 26.00 [19.00, 33.00] days vs. 32.00 [20.50, 36.00] days; P= 0.621 and 12.00 [7.00, 18.00] days vs. 15.00 [8.00, 25.50] days; P= 0.209). The incidence of severe oral pain ( NRS score≥ 7 ) was significantly reduced in UTI group compared with the control group (22.5% vs. 36.7; P = 0.038). No UTI related adverse events were observed during treatment. With a median follow-up time of 41.6 months (IQR, 38.2 - 45.0 months), The 3-year OS, LRRFS, DMFS and PFS in UTI group and Control group were 96.5% vs. 94.3%, 91.2% vs. 87.2%, 95.2% vs. 92.1% and 89.9% vs. 85.1%, respectively (all P > 0.05). Conclusions: Our study revealed that UTI can effectively reduce the incidence of graded ≥ 3 RTOM and severe oral pain without increasing adverse events and compromising survivals. Clinical trial information: NCT03387774 .

Induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with toripalimab and Endostar in high-risk locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A multicenter, randomized, phase 2 trial.

6086 Background: Even though induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) can improve the survival rate of patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC), the recurrence and/or metastasis rates for patients with stage IV (T4 and/or N3) diseases remain high. This study investigates the efficacy and safety of adding Toripalimab (PD-1 inhibitor) and Endostar (recombinant human endostatin) to IC-CCRT in patients with high-risk LA-NPC. Methods: High-risk LA-NPC patients were randomly divided (1:1) into either the IC-CCRT+TE group (gemcitabine and cisplatin induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with Toripalimab and Endostar) or the IC-CCRT group (gemcitabine and cisplatin induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy). Toripalimab (240mg, d1) was administered intravenously every 3 weeks for up to 12 cycles (3 induction, 2 concurrent, and 7 adjuvant). Endostar (7.5mg/m2, d1-10) was continuously injected intravenously every 3 weeks for a total of 5 cycles (3 induction and 2 concurrent). The primary endpoint was 3-year progression-free survival (PFS), and the secondary endpoints included 3-year overall survival (OS), 3-year locoregional relapse-free survival (LRFS), 3-year distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), objective response rate (ORR) and safety. Results: From September 7, 2020, to August 23, 2022, a total of 106 eligible patients were randomly assigned to the IC-CCRT+TE group (n = 53) and IC-CCRT group (n = 53). At a median follow-up of 25 months, the PFS was significantly improved in the IC-CCRT+TE group compared to the IC-CCRT group (HR=0.36, p=0.041). 28 patients (52.8%) in the IC-CCRT+TE group and 5 patients (9.4%) in the IC-CCRT group achieved complete response (CR) after induction chemotherapy, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The incidence of grade ≥3 acute adverse events in the IC-CCRT+TE group and IC-CCRT group was 66.0% and 62.3%, respectively. The incidence of grade ≥3 late adverse events in two groups was 5.8% and 5.7%, respectively. The incidence of grade ≥3 immune-related adverse events was only 4.7%. Conclusions: IC-CCRT combined with Toripalimab and Endostar significantly improved PFS in patients with high-risk locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and the adverse events are manageable. Clinical trial information: NCT04447326 .

Effect of enhanced recovery after radiotherapy (ERAR) on the quality of life in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy: A randomized controlled trial.

12128 Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common disease in Southern China and Southeast Asia. Radiotherapy is an essential treatment for locoregionally advanced NPC (LA-NPC). Although Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is widely used in surgical settings, the guidelines do not systematically address the specific roles of various disciplines involved in radiotherapy rehabilitation. Therefore, we propose the concept of Enhanced Recovery After Radiotherapy (ERAR), which is considered to be a vital complement to radiology. Methods: We enrolled patients with stage III to IVA LA-NPC in this study. Participants completed baseline surveys before random assignment. ERAR interventions were implemented during radiotherapy to develop systematic management plans in the aspects of nursing, oral care, psychology, rehabilitation, nutrition, and skin health. The control group received conventional radiotherapy. Outcomes were evaluated at the 17th and 33rd radiotherapy sessions. We used generalized estimating equations to evaluate group by time effects on the outcomes, controlling for key covariates. Results: A total of 108 LA-NPC patients with a mean age of 48.3 ± 11.0 years were enrolled in the study group from August 2021 to September 2023. Across all time points, the ERAR group showed significant improvements in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) anxiety ( P <.001), HADS depression ( P <.001), distress thermometer ( P =.049), quality of life ( P =.014), NRS2002 ( P =.040), weight loss ( P <.001), and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) ( P =.040) scores compared with the conventional care group. Conclusions: The ERAR pathway has a significant benefit on reducing acute radiation-induced toxicity in patients with LA-NPC. It is hoped that this study will provide a reference for clinicians and promote the implementation of a standardized protocol for rapid recovery from radiotherapy. Clinical trial information: ChiCTR2300075874. [Table: see text]

Induction-concurrent chemoradiotherapy with or without sintilimab in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma in China (CONTINUUM): a multicentre, open-label, parallel-group, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial

Anti-PD-1 therapy and chemotherapy is a recommended first-line treatment for recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but the role of PD-1 blockade remains unknown in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. We assessed the addition of sintilimab, a PD-1 inhibitor, to standard chemoradiotherapy in this patient population. This multicentre, open-label, parallel-group, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial was conducted at nine hospitals in China. Adults aged 18-65 years with newly diagnosed high-risk non-metastatic stage III-IVa locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (excluding T3-4N0 and T3N1) were eligible. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) using blocks of four to receive gemcitabine and cisplatin induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent cisplatin radiotherapy (standard therapy group) or standard therapy with 200 mg sintilimab intravenously once every 3 weeks for 12 cycles (comprising three induction, three concurrent, and six adjuvant cycles to radiotherapy; sintilimab group). The primary endpoint was event-free survival from randomisation to disease recurrence (locoregional or distant) or death from any cause in the intention-to-treat population. Secondary endpoints included adverse events. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03700476) and is now completed; follow-up is ongoing. Between Dec 21, 2018, and March 31, 2020, 425 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to the sintilimab (n=210) or standard therapy groups (n=215). At median follow-up of 41·9 months (IQR 38·0-44·8; 389 alive at primary data cutoff [Feb 28, 2023] and 366 [94%] had at least 36 months of follow-up), event-free survival was higher in the sintilimab group compared with the standard therapy group (36-month rates 86% [95% CI 81-90] vs 76% [70-81]; stratified hazard ratio 0·59 [0·38-0·92]; p=0·019). Grade 3-4 adverse events occurred in 155 (74%) in the sintilimab group versus 140 (65%) in the standard therapy group, with the most common being stomatitis (68 [33%] vs 64 [30%]), leukopenia (54 [26%] vs 48 [22%]), and neutropenia (50 [24%] vs 46 [21%]). Two (1%) patients died in the sintilimab group (both considered to be immune-related) and one (<1%) in the standard therapy group. Grade 3-4 immune-related adverse events occurred in 20 (10%) patients in the sintilimab group. Addition of sintilimab to chemoradiotherapy improved event-free survival, albeit with higher but manageable adverse events. Longer follow-up is necessary to determine whether this regimen can be considered as the standard of care for patients with high-risk locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. National Natural Science Foundation of China, Key-Area Research and Development Program of Guangdong Province, Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, Overseas Expertise Introduction Project for Discipline Innovation, Guangzhou Municipal Health Commission, and Cancer Innovative Research Program of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Concurrent nimotuzumab and intensity-modulated radiotherapy for elderly patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Because of the common physical condition, reduced organ function, and comorbidities, elderly patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are often underrepresented in clinical trials. The optimal treatment of elderly patients with locally advanced NPC remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of concurrent nimotuzumab combined with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in elderly patients with locally advanced NPC. We conducted a single-arm, phase II trial for elderly patients with stage III-IVA NPC (according to UICC-American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM classification, 8th edition). All patients received concurrent nimotuzumab (200 mg/week, 1 week prior to IMRT) combined with IMRT. The primary end-point was complete response (CR) rate. The secondary end-points were survival, safety, and geriatric assessment. Between March 13, 2017 and November 12, 2018, 30 patients were enrolled. In total, 20 (66.7%) patients achieved CR, and objective response was observed in 30 (100.0%) patients 1 month after radiotherapy. The median follow-up time was 56.05 months (25th-75th percentile, 53.45-64.56 months). The 5-year locoregional relapse-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, cancer-specific survival, disease-free survival, and overall survival were 89.4%, 86.4%, 85.9%, 76.5%, and 78.8%, respectively. Grade 3 mucositis occurred in 10 (33%) patients and grade 3 pneumonia in 3 (10%) patients. Concurrent nimotuzumab combined with IMRT is effective and well-tolerated for elderly patients with locally advanced NPC.

Incorporation of PD-1 blockade into induction chemotherapy improved tumor response in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a retrospective patient cohort

ObjectiveTo investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of induction chemotherapy (IC) combined with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC). MethodsA total of 217 patients diagnosed with LA-NPC at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, including 67 who received IC combined with anti-PD-1 and 150 who received IC, were retrospectively enrolled. Efficacy was evaluated at the end of the IC cycles and one month after radiotherapy based on RECIST v1.1 criteria. Acute toxicities were graded based on the CTCAE v5.0 criteria. Quantitative variables were compared by unpaired t-tests, and categorical variables were evaluated by Fisher Freeman-Halton test or Pearson Chi-square test. ResultsAt the end of all induction therapy cycles, the objective response rate (ORR) of the IC + anti-PD-1 group was 88.1 % (59/67) as opposed to 70.0 % (105/150) in the IC group. Subgroup analysis showed that patients in both stage Ⅲ and ⅣA achieved a significant improvement in ORR with the inclusion of anti-PD-1 therapy. Patients with T3-4 or N2-3 category appeared to benefit more from anti-PD-1 compared to patients with T1-2 or N0-1 category. However, neither ORR nor the complete response (CR) rate was significantly different between the two treatment groups one month after the end of radiotherapy. In addition, the frequency of Grade 3–4 adverse events were also similar in both groups. ConclusionsIC combined with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy significantly improved the ORR of LA-NPC patients after induction therapy compared to IC alone.