OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy of the ARAR0331 protocol for treatment of childhood nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

METHODSThe clinical data of eight children with nasopharyngeal carcinoma between May 2004 and May 2012 were retrospectively studied. The eight patients included six boys and two girls, and the onset age was between 3 and 13 years. Six patients were in AJCC Stage Ⅲ, one was in StageⅡA and one was in Stage ⅣA. One patient had been treated with combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy which mainly included EAP, BEP and EA. The other seven patients had been treated with the ARAR0331 protocol provided by the America Children's Oncology Group (COG).

RESULTSThe patient who had been treated with combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy developed multiple bony metastasis during the chemotherapeutic period. Four out of seven patients who had been treated with ARAR0331 protocol achieved complete remission, and two achieved partial remission. The seven patients were followed-up from 8 to 75 months and the survival rate was 100%. The ARAR0331 protocol treatment-related complications included radiodermatitis, mucocitis and nausea. Late toxicity was not found.

CONCLUSIONSBased on the limited cases, ARAR0331 protocol appears to be effective and safe for childhood nasopharyngeal carcinoma.