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BMC Cancer
Published in: BMC Cancer 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with or without cetuximab for stage II to IVb nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a case–control study

Authors: Yang Li, Qiu-Yan Chen, Lin-Quan Tang, Li-Ting Liu, Shan-Shan Guo, Ling Guo, Hao-Yuan Mo, Ming-Yuan Chen, Xiang Guo, Ka-Jia Cao, Chao-Nan Qian, Mu-Shen Zeng, Jin-Xin Bei, Jian-Yong Shao, Ying Sun, Jing Tan, Shuai Chen, Jun Ma, Chong Zhao, Hai-Qiang Mai

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcome and toxicities in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with/without adding cetuximab.

Methods

A total of 62 patients treated with CCRT plus cetuximab were matched with 124 patients treated with CCRT alone by age, sex, pathological type, T category, N category, disease stage, radiotherapy (RT) technique, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA levels, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG). Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test. Treatment toxicities were clarified and compared between two groups.

Results

A total of 186 well-balanced stage II to IV NPC patients were retrospectively analyzed (median follow-up, 76 months). Compared to CCRT alone, adding cetuximab resulted in more grade 3 to 4 radiation mucositis (51.6% vs. 23.4%; P < 0.001). No differences were found between the CCRT + cetuximab group and the CCRT group in 5-year OS (89.7% vs. 90.7%, P = 0.386), 3-year PFS (83.9% vs. 88.7%, P = 0.115), the 3-year LRFS (95.0% vs. 96.7%, P = 0.695), and the 3-year DMFS (88.4% vs 91.9%, P = 0.068). Advanced disease stage was the independent prognostic factor predicting poorer OS and PFS.

Conclusion

Adding cetuximab to CCRT did not significantly improve benefits in survival in stage II to IV NPC and exacerbated acute mucositis and acneiform rash. Further investigations are warranted.
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Metadata
Title
Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with or without cetuximab for stage II to IVb nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a case–control study
Authors
Yang Li
Qiu-Yan Chen
Lin-Quan Tang
Li-Ting Liu
Shan-Shan Guo
Ling Guo
Hao-Yuan Mo
Ming-Yuan Chen
Xiang Guo
Ka-Jia Cao
Chao-Nan Qian
Mu-Shen Zeng
Jin-Xin Bei
Jian-Yong Shao
Ying Sun
Jing Tan
Shuai Chen
Jun Ma
Chong Zhao
Hai-Qiang Mai
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-017-3552-6

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