Induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and epirubicin followed by radiotherapy and concurrent cisplatin in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma observed in a non-endemic population.
OBJECTIVE
Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) represents the main therapy choice in the treatment of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The aim of this study was the clinical evaluation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by CRT in a non-endemic population affected by advanced NPC.


METHODS
Patients with locoregionally advanced NPC were treated with three cycles of induction chemotherapy (CHT) with cisplatin (100 mg/m(2)) plus epirubicin (90 mg/m(2)), followed by cisplatin (100 mg/m(2)) and concomitant radiotherapy (70 Gy).


RESULTS
In 40 patients treated with such protocol, after the completion of induction CHT and CRT we observed the objective response rates of 90% and 100%, respectively. Treatment tolerability and toxicity were easily controllable. With a median follow-up time of 54 months, 3- and 5-year disease-free survival was 75% and 65% and 3- and 5-year overall survival was 84% and 77%. Three- and 5-year locoregional control was 82% and 70%, and 5-year distant metastases free survival was 75%.


CONCLUSIONS
NACT with cisplatin and epirubicin followed by concomitant CRT represents a feasible, efficient treatment for patients with advanced NPC. This regimen ensures an excellent locoregional disease control and overall survival with a low incidence of distant metastases.
Airoldi
Mario
M
Department of Medical Oncology, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, Turin, Italy.
Gabriele
Anna Maria
AM
Garzaro
Massimiliano
M
Raimondo
Luca
L
Condello
Cecilia
C
Beatrice
Fabio
F
Pecorari
Giancarlo
G
Giordano
Carlo
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015251:Epirubicin; D002945:Cisplatin