The Role of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Multi-institutional Retrospective Study (KROG 11-06) Using Propensity Score Matching Analysis.
- Author:
Jin Ho SONG
1
;
Hong Gyun WU
;
Bhum Suk KEAM
;
Jeong Hun HAH
;
Yong Chan AHN
;
Dongryul OH
;
Jae Myoung NOH
;
Hyo Jung PARK
;
Chang Geol LEE
;
Ki Chang KEUM
;
Jihye CHA
;
Kwan Ho CHO
;
Sung Ho MOON
;
Ji Yoon KIM
;
Woong Ki CHUNG
;
Young Taek OH
;
Won Taek KIM
;
Moon June CHO
;
Chul Seung KAY
;
Yeon Sil KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Nasopharyngeal neoplasms; Chemoradiotherapy; Induction chemotherapy; Radiotherapy; Republic of Korea
- MeSH: Arm; Chemoradiotherapy; Compliance; Disease-Free Survival; Drug Therapy*; Humans; Induction Chemotherapy; Methods; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Propensity Score*; Radiotherapy; Recurrence; Republic of Korea; Retrospective Studies*; Standard of Care; Treatment Outcome
- From:Cancer Research and Treatment 2016;48(3):917-927
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: PURPOSE: We compared the treatment results and toxicity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients treated with concurrent chemotherapy (CCRT) alone (the CRT arm) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by CCRT (the NCT arm). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multi-institutional retrospective study was conducted to review NPC patterns of care and treatment outcome. Data of 568 NPC patients treated by CCRT alone or by neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by CCRT were collected from 15 institutions. Patients in both treatment arms were matched using the propensity score matching method, and the clinical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: After matching, 300 patients (150 patients in each group) were selected for analysis. Higher 5-year locoregional failure-free survival was observed in the CRT arm (85% vs. 72%, p=0.014). No significant differences in distant failure-free survival (DFFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival were observed between groups. In subgroup analysis, the NCT arm showed superior DFFS and DFS in stage IV patients younger than 60 years. No significant difference in compliance and toxicity was observed between groups, except the radiation therapy duration was slightly shorter in the CRT arm (50.0 days vs. 53.9 days, p=0.018). CONCLUSION: This study did not show the superiority of NCT followed by CCRT over CCRT alone. Because NCT could increase the risk of locoregional recurrences, it can only be considered in selected young patients with advanced stage IV disease. The role of NCT remains to be defined and should not be viewed as the standard of care.
