Long-Term Use of Nimotuzumab in Combination With Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Experience of a Single Institution

Oncol Res. 2018 Mar 5;26(2):277-287. doi: 10.3727/096504017X15079846743590. Epub 2017 Oct 18.

Abstract

In this retrospective review of a single institution's experience, the efficacy and safety of the long-term use of nimotuzumab in combination with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and chemotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) were studied. Between August 2008 and March 2014, 39 newly diagnosed patients with stages III-IV NPC were treated with IMRT, chemotherapy, and nimotuzumab. Twenty patients were diagnosed with stage III (51.3%), 14 with stage IVA (35.9%), and 5 with stage IVB (12.8%) disease. All patients received at least one cycle of cisplatin-based induction chemotherapy followed by IMRT and more than nine cycles of nimotuzumab at 200 mg/week. Acute and late radiation-related toxicities were graded according to the Acute and Late Radiation Morbidity Scoring Criteria of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group. Accumulated survival was calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. The log-rank test was used to compare survival differences. With a median follow-up of 46 months (range, 22-86 months), the estimated 3-year local recurrence-free, regional recurrence-free, distant metastasis-free, progression failure-free, and overall survival rates were 92.1%, 89.7%, 82.5%, 77.6%, and 86.8%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that clinical stage and the cycle of induction chemotherapy were related with prognosis. The median cycle for the addition of nimotuzumab was 12 weeks. Grade 3 radiation-induced mucositis was observed in 15.8% of the treated patients. No skin rash or infusion reaction was observed, which is distinctly different from what was reported in patients treated with nimotuzumab. The major toxicities observed were grades I-II mucositis and leukocytopenia. Long-term use of nimotuzumab plus IMRT showed promising outcomes in terms of locoregional control and survival, without increasing the incidence of radiation-related toxicities in patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma / mortality
  • Carcinoma / pathology*
  • Carcinoma / therapy*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated* / adverse effects
  • Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated* / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • nimotuzumab