Induction chemotherapy followed by concomitant radiotherapy and weekly cisplatin versus the same concomitant chemoradiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a randomized phase II study conducted by the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group (HeCOG) with biomarker evaluation

Abstract

IC with three cycles of CEP when followed by CCRT did not significantly improve response rates and/or survival compared with that of CCRT alone.

Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Versus Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy with or without Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Meta-analysis of 1,096 Patients from 11 Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Another two trials (Chan et al, 2005;Hui et al, 2009) were the same in design and data with almost the same authors but different numbers of patients, and in order to avoid data reduplication, then Chan et al's trial (Chan et al, 2005) was discarded. Two trials (Fountzilas et al, 2009;Fountzilas et al, 2012) were from the same study but were reported in different follow-ups. They were both included.…”

“…All satisfied the criteria of complete outcome data (He et al, 2009;Hui et al, 2009;Ma et al, 2009;Sun et al, 2009;He et al, 2011;Ruste et al, 2011;Xu et al, 2011;Chen et al, 2012;Cui et al, 2012;Fountzilas et al, 2012;Huang et al, 2012), two studies didn't satisfied the item of selective reports He et al, 2011). There were no studies reporting allocation concealment, binding of participants and personnel, and binding of outcome assessment.…”

“…Of eleven studies, six studies reported adequate reliability determined random sequence generation (He et al, 2009;Hui et al, 2009;Ruste et al, 2011;Chen et al, 2012;Fountzilas et al, 2012;Huang et al, 2012). All satisfied the criteria of complete outcome data (He et al, 2009;Hui et al, 2009;Ma et al, 2009;Sun et al, 2009;He et al, 2011;Ruste et al, 2011;Xu et al, 2011;Chen et al, 2012;Cui et al, 2012;Fountzilas et al, 2012;Huang et al, 2012), two studies didn't satisfied the item of selective reports He et al, 2011).…”

“…There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of 3-year overall survival (IC+CCRT, 36%, CCRT + AC, 25.4%, Hazard ratio=0.92, P = 0.889). Now there were also several other randomized controlled trials (RCTs) compared the therapy of IC followed by CCRT and the therapy of CCRT with or without AC in advanced NPC (He et al, 2009;Ma et al, 2009;Sun et al, 2009;He et al, 2011;Xu et al, 2011;Chen et al, 2012;Cui et al, 2012;Fountzilas et al, 2012;Huang et al, 2012), but none of them were large enough to show a statistically significant effect. This meta-analysis was conducted to give an overview of all eligible RCTs comparing the therapy of IC+CCRT with the therapy of CCRT +/-AC in advanced NPC.…”

Induction chemotherapy in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Clinical outcomes and patterns of care

“…Here, we show that induction chemotherapy is not an independent predictor of OS. A phase II trial of induction cisplatin, epirubicin, and paclitaxel followed by concurrent CRT vs concurrent CRT alone did not significantly improved OS or progression free survival 18. Similarly, a randomized phase II/III trial evaluating induction gemcitabine, carboplatin, and paclitaxel followed by concurrent CRT vs concurrent CRT alone showed no significant improvement in OS or distant failure‐free survival with the addition on induction regimen 19.…”