title: Phase II clinical trial of h-R3 combined with radiotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term efficacy and toxicity of the humanized anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody h-R3 when combined with radiotherapy for the treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
  
  
  METHODS
  35 patients with stage III-IVb NPC with moderate- or strong-intensity EGFR expression were randomly divided into either a radiotherapy alone group or a group receiving radiotherapy combined with h-R3.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The complete remission (CR) rates of the combination group at three time points were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of the radiotherapy alone group. Overall survival, 3-year local control rate, and no distant metastasis rate did not differ between the two groups. No severe toxicity was noticed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  h-R3 is an agent with good safety profile which could help enhance the radiation antitumor effect in locally advanced NPC, but it did not seem to exhibit significant long-term efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Jiangxi Provincial Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou 341000, China.
authors.forename: Ren-Rui
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Zhen-Yu
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hua-Feng
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D002945:Cisplatin; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D002945:Cisplatin