The efficiency of Liposomal paclitaxel versus docetaxel in neoadjuvant chemotherapy on locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a retrospective study

Abstract

Purpose This retrospective study aimed to explore the efficiency and untoward reaction of liposomal paclitaxel versus docetaxel for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods This study retrospectively enrolled 115 patients with NPC from our hospital from January 2018 to December 2021. Patients were divided into the liposomal paclitaxel (n = 71) and docetaxel groups (n = 44) following the neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocol. Objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional relapse-free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared between the two groups. Results ORR was significantly improved in the liposomal paclitaxel group than in the docetaxel group (62.0% versus 40.9%, P = 0.028). The 3-year PFS (PFS: 84.4% versus 77.5%, P = 0.303), LRFS (95.8% versus 94.4%, P = 0.810), DMFS (87.2% versus 84.9%, P = 0.648), and OS (90.7% versus 88.8%, P = 0.306) revealed no significance. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.510; P = 0.039) and distant metastasis (HR: 4.384; P = 0.035) were regarded as the risk factors using multivariate regression analysis. Moreover, the incidence of leukopenia at levels 1–2 in the liposomal paclitaxel group was significantly lower than in the docetaxel group (28.1% versus 79.5%, P < 0.05). Conclusions Liposomal paclitaxel had better efficacy in terms of short-term effects and lower incidence of leukopenia at levels 1–2 compared with the docetaxel group.