Phase Ii clinical trial of h-R3 combined with radiotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Wu, R.-R.; Xiao, Z.-Y.; Wang, C.; Liu, H.-F.; Zhong, H.; Li, F.
Journal of Buon Official Journal of the Balkan Union of Oncology 19(4): 930-936
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 1107-0625 PMID: 25536598 Document Number: 673392
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). 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. 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. 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.