To prospectively investigate and integrate radiomic and immunologic signatures in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with either proton or photon radiotherapy, with the aim of identifying biomarkers associated with treatment response, toxicity, and long-term outcomes.
This is a non-randomized, single-center, phase II prospective trial enrolling patients with stage I-III NPC undergoing definitive proton or photon chemoradiotherapy. Participants will be followed for ≥2 years after treatment completion to evaluate clinical outcomes and longitudinal biomarker dynamics, including radiomic and immunologic signatures. Radiotherapy target delineation was performed according to established consensus guidelines. The gross tumor volume (GTV) included all radiologically visible primary tumors and involved lymph nodes. The clinical target volume receiving 69.96 Gy encompassed the GTV with a 0-5 mm margin and may also include the entire nasopharynx. The clinical target volume receiving 59.4 Gy was optionally delineated at the discretion of the treating physician to encompass regions at high risk for microscopic disease spread, including the nasopharynx, nasal cavity, maxillary sinuses, pterygoid plates, parapharyngeal space, retropharyngeal lymph nodes, clivus, skull base, sphenoid sinus, and bilateral upper cervical lymph nodes. The elective neck volumes, receiving 50-54.12 Gy , encompassed the bilateral cervical lymphatic drainage regions. The detailed contour definitions followed the International Consensus Guidelines on Delineation of Clinical Target Volumes at Different Dose Levels for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Concurrent Chemotherapy Regimens: 1. Cisplatin Based Regimens o Dosage: Cisplatin 100 mg/m² IV on Day 1 every 3 weeks during radiotherapy (total 2-3 cycles); Cisplatin 50 mg/m² IV on Day 1 every 2 weeks during radiotherapy (typically 6-8 weeks); Cisplatin 40 mg/m² IV weekly during radiotherapy (typically 6-7 weeks) 2. Carboplatin-Based Regimens o Dosage: Carboplatin AUC 5-6 IV every 3 weeks The use of induction chemotherapy is allowed in locally advanced NPC 1. TPF Regimen (Docetaxel + Cisplatin + 5-Fluorouracil) * Docetaxel: 75 mg/m² IV on Day 1 * Cisplatin: 75 mg/m² IV on Day 1 * 5-FU: 750-1000 mg/m²/day continuous IV infusion on Days 1-5 * Cycle: Every 3 weeks × 2-3 cycles 2. GP Regimen (Gemcitabine + Cisplatin) * Gemcitabine: 1000 mg/m² IV on Days 1 and 8 * Cisplatin: 80 mg/m² IV on Day 1 * Cycle: Every 3 weeks × 2-3 cycles 3. TP Regimen (Docetaxel + Cisplatin) * Docetaxel: 75 mg/m² IV on Day 1 * Cisplatin: 75 mg/m² IV on Day 1 * Cycle: Every 3 weeks × 2-3 cycles
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
500
Concurrent chemoradiotherapy will be delivered using intensity modulated proton therapy, with a total dose of 69.96 CGE administered in 33 fractions.
Concurrent chemoradiotherapy will be delivered using photon-based volumetric modulated arc therapy, with a total dose of 69.96 Gy administered in 33 fractions.
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou
Taoyuan, Taiwan, Taiwan
RECRUITINGOverall survival
Overall survival is defined as the time from signing the informed consent to death from any cause.
Time frame: 2 years
Progression free survival
Progression free survival is defined as the time from signing the informed consent to the first occurrence of disease progression or death from any cause (whichever occurs first) according to RECIST1.1
Time frame: 2 years
Time to progression
Time to progression is defined as the time from signing the informed consent to the first occurrence of disease progression according to RECIST1.1.
Time frame: 2 years
Incidence and severity of adverse events
Acute and late adverse events will be graded using CTCAE v5
Time frame: 5 years
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