Plasma Epstein-Barr Virus DNA Load After Induction Chemotherapy Predicts Outcome in Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Enhancing efficacy and reducing toxicity: Therapeutic optimization in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

When applied as the standard therapeutic modality, intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) improves local control and survival rates in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, distant metastasis continues to be the leading cause of treatment failure. Here, we review the most recent optimization strategies for combining chemotherapy with IMRT in high-risk patients with locoregionally advanced NPC. We focus on major clinical trials on induction chemotherapy and metronomic adjuvant chemotherapy, emphasizing their efficacy in mitigating distant metastasis and prognosis. We also highlight innovations in reducing toxicity in low-risk patients, particularly through approaches of excluding chemotherapy, adopting equivalent low-toxicity drugs, or selectively exempting lymph nodes with low metastatic risk from irradiation. These approaches have provided positive treatment outcomes and significantly enhanced patients' quality of life. Finally, we provide an overview of the evolving immunotherapy landscape, with a focus on the ongoing trials and future potential of immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced NPC treatment.

Study on the value of Inhibin B in the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its correlation with traditional Chinese medicine syndromes: An observational study

To investigate the expression of Inhibin B between various clinical stages, Chinese medicine dialectic typing, and in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tissues and serum, and to evaluate the potential of Inhibin B as a new biomarker for NPC. Paraffin specimens of pathologically confirmed NPC tissues and paracancerous tissues were retrospectively collected, and the expression of Inhibin α (INHA) and Inhibin βB (INHBB) was detected by SP method, and their relationship with clinicopathological indexes was analyzed; in addition, patients with NPC who had received radiotherapy were included as the study subjects, and Epstein-Barr virus DNA (EBV-DNA), INHA, and INHBB in patients were detected by using the fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and chemiluminescent immuno-sandwiching method, respectively. EBV-DNA, EBV-viral capsid antigen-immunoglobulin A (VCA IgA), INHA, and INHBB were detected in the patients, respectively, and their relationships with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) patterns were also analyzed. The expression of INHA and INHBB in NPC tissues was lower than that in paracancerous tissues, and the expression of INHA in NPC patients was correlated with lymphatic metastasis, clinical staging, and TCM staging; the levels of EBV-DNA and VCA IgA were higher than that of healthy populations in NPC patients and were higher than that of patients with stage III + IV than that of patients with stage I + II, and the levels of INHA and INHBB were lower than those of healthy populations and were lower than those of patients with stage III + IV than that of patients with stage I + II. The levels of INHA and INHBB in nasopharyngeal cancer patients were lower than those in healthy people, and the levels in stage III + IV patients were lower than those in stage I + II patients. The levels of EBV-DNA and VCA IgA in nasopharyngeal cancer patients were correlated with the Chinese medicine patterns, and had different patterns. The expression of Inhibin B may be related to the progression of NPC, and it has certain typing significance for different TCM syndromes of NPC, which is helpful for TCM typing diagnosis.

Prognostic value of lymph node-to-primary tumor ratio of PET standardized uptake value for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a recursive partitioning risk stratification analysis

Background

Induction chemotherapy (IC) combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy has become the standard treatment for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC). Data on the prognostic value of the lymph node-to-primary tumor ratio (NTR) of positron emission tomography (PET) standardized uptake value (SUV) for patients treated with IC were limited.

Objectives

To evaluate the prognostic value of the SUV NTR for patients with LA-NPC treated with IC.

Design

In all, 467 patients with pretreatment 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography (CT) scans between September 2017 and November 2020 were retrospectively reviewed.

Methods

The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine the optimal cut-off value of SUV NTR. Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate survival rates. The recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was performed to construct a risk stratification model.

Results

The optimal cutoff value of SUV NTR was 0.74. Multivariate analyses showed that SUV NTR and overall stage were independent predictors for distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and regional recurrent-free survival (RRFS). Therefore, an RPA model based on the endpoint of DMFS was generated and categorized the patients into three distinct risk groups: RPA I (low risk: SUV NTR < 0.74 and stage III), RPA II (medium risk: SUV NTR < 0.74 and stage IVa, or SUV NTR ⩾ 0.74 and stage III), and RPA III (high risk: SUV NTR ⩾ 0.74 and stage IVa), with a 3-year DMFS of 98.9%, 93.4%, and 84.2%, respectively. ROC analysis showed that the RPA model had superior predictive efficacy than the SUV NTR or overall stage alone.

Conclusion

SUV NTR was an independent prognosticator for distant metastasis and regional recurrence in locoregionally advanced NPC. The RPA risk stratification model based on SUV NTR provides improved DMFS and RRFS prediction over the eighth edition of the TNM (Tumor Node Metastasis) staging system.

Embracing Personalized Strategies in Radiotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Beyond the Conventional Bounds of Fields and Borders

Radiotherapy is the primary treatment modality for non-metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) across all TN-stages. Locoregional control rates have been impressive even from the 2D radiotherapy (RT) era, except when the ability to deliver optimal dose coverage to the tumor is compromised. However, short- and long-term complications following head and neck RT are potentially debilitating, and thus, there has been much research investigating technological advances in RT delivery over the past decades, with the primary goal of limiting normal tissue damage. On this note, with a plateau in gains of therapeutic ratio by modern RT techniques, future advances have to be focused on individualization of RT, both in terms of dose prescription and the delineation of target volumes. In this review, we analyzed the guidelines and evidence related to contouring methods, and dose prescription for early and locoregionally advanced (LA-) NPC. Next, with the preference for induction chemotherapy (IC) in patients with LA-NPC, we assessed the evidence concerning radiotherapy adaptations guided by IC response, as well as functional imaging and contour changes during treatment. Finally, we discussed on RT individualization that is guided by EBV DNA assessment, and its importance in the era of combinatorial immune checkpoint blockade therapy with RT.

Combined pre-treatment and middle-treatment Epstein-Barr virus DNA load contributes to prognostication and treatment modification in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients

Objective

To investigate whether pre-treatment and middle-treatment plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA loads are useful predictors of prognosis and indicators of therapy modification in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients undergoing radical concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Methods

Plasma EBV DNA load was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction before treatment (pre-DNA) and during the second cycle of DDP (mid-DNA). The primary endpoint was 5-year progression-free survival (PFS).

Results

A total of 775 NPC patients treated with CCRT were included. In total, 553 patients with pre-DNA <4000 copies/mL and 222 with ⩾4000 copies/mL. A total of 559 patients had mid-DNA undetectable and 216 had detectable. Multivariate analysis showed that pre- and mid-DNA were independent prognostic predictors of PFS [hazard ratio (HR), 2.035; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.406-2.944; p < 0.001; HR, 1.597; 95% CI, 1.101-2.316; p = 0.014]. The area under the curve of the combination of pre-DNA and mid-DNA for 5-year PFS was higher than that of pre-DNA, mid-DNA, and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage (0.679 versus 0.622, 0.608, 0.601). In the low-risk group (pre-DNA <4000 copies/mL and undetectable mid-DNA), patients receiving ⩽200 mg/m2 showed similar efficacy as those receiving >200 mg/m2 cumulative cisplatin dose (CCD) but were associated with fewer all-grade late toxicities. However, in the high-risk group (pre-DNA ⩾4000 copies/mL or detectable mid-DNA), patients receiving >200 mg/m2 CCD showed a higher 5-year PFS (73.1% versus 58.6%, p = 0.027) and locoregional relapse-free survival (88.5% versus 76.1%, p = 0.028) than those receiving ⩽200 mg/m2 CCD.

Conclusion

The combination of pre-DNA and mid-DNA could be particularly useful for guiding risk stratification and early treatment modification for NPC treated with CCRT. A total of 200 mg/m2 cisplatin seemed to be the optimal dose for the low-risk patients, while >200 mg/m2 cisplatin may be adequate to achieve satisfactory survival outcomes in the high-risk group.

Individualized Concurrent Chemotherapy for Patients with Stage III-IVa Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Combined with Definitive Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy

PURPOSE

This retrospective study aimed to re-evaluate the effect of concurrent chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in the era of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 498 patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) or IMRT were retrospectively reviewed. The distribution of baseline characteristics was balanced using propensity score matching. Additionally, the results of NCT+IMRT and NCT+CCRT were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and differences in survival rates were analyzed using the log rank test.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and local progression-free survival (LRFS) between the two groups. Patients were further categorized into risk subgroups based on pretreatment Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA cutoff values using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. There were no statistically significant differences in OS, PFS, DMFS, and LRFS between patients who received NCT+CCRT and NCT+IMRT in the high-risk group. In the low-risk group, although there were no differences between NCT+CCRT and NCT+IMRT in OS, PFS, and LRFS, patients who received NCT+CCRT had better DMFS than those who received NCT+IMRT.

CONCLUSION

Pretreatment EBV DNA level can be used to individualize concurrent chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced NPC. Patients with low pretreatment EBV DNA levels may benefit from concurrent chemotherapy, whereas those with high levels may not. Other treatment modalities need to be explored for high-risk patients to improve their prognosis.

Residual plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA after intensity-modulated radiation therapy is associated with poor outcomes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Aim: To investigate the effects of residual plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA levels after 3 months of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) (postIMRT-EBV DNA) on prognosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: Data from 300 patients were retrospectively collected for analysis. Results: Of these patients, 25 (8.3%) and 275 (91.7%) had positive and negative postIMRT-EBV DNA, respectively. Multivariate survival analysis showed that EBV DNA >688 IU/ml was independently associated with inferior distant metastasis-free survival (p = 0.003) and progression-free survival (p = 0.002). Moreover, postIMRT-EBV DNA was independently associated with inferior locoregional recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio: 4.325; p = 0.018), distant metastasis-free survival (hazard ratio: 10.226; p < 0.001) and progression-free survival (hazard ratio: 10.520; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Positive postIMRT-EBV DNA is a prognostic biomarker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The value of integrating tumor volume and plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA load during sequential chemoradiotherapy for prognostic prediction and therapeutic guidance in high-risk locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the value of integrating primary gross tumor volume (GTVp) and gross tumor volume of nodes (GTVn) after induction chemotherapy (IC) and dynamic changes in plasma cell-free Epstein-Barr virus DNA (cfEBV DNA) during sequential chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in high-risk locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 988 patients with LA-NPC undergoing IC plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) between 2014 and 2018. The entire cohort was divided into four subgroups according to tumor volume and the cfEBV DNA load. Using a supervised statistical clustering approach, we stratified the subgroups into three clusters. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and locoregional relapse-free survival (LRRFS) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and inter-group differences were compared using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

We observed that GTVp & GTVn and cfEBV DNApostIC & cfEBV DNApostCRT were powerful prognostic factors for OS (p = 0.004, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). The survival curves of the three clusters were significantly different. The 5-year OS for the low-risk, intermediate-risk and high-risk clusters were 97.0%, 86.2% and 77.1% (all P values < 0.001), respectively. The risk stratification system showed better predictive performance than the current tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification for OS (area under curve [AUC]: 0.653 versus 0.560, p < 0.001), DFS (AUC: 0.639 versus 0.540, p < 0.001), DMFS (AUC: 0.628 versus 0.535, p < 0.001) and LRRFS (AUC: 0.616 versus 0.513, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Both tumor volume and the cfEBV DNA level during sequential CRT are effective prognostic indicators for patients with high-risk LA-NPC. The developed risk stratification system incorporating above factors improved survival prediction and demonstrated potential value in decision-making.

Prognostic effect of residual plasma Epstein-Barr viral DNA after induction chemotherapy for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

To assess the prognostic effect of plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA load after induction chemotherapy (postIC -EBV DNA) on survival outcomes in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC).

METHODS

Patients who were diagnosed with LA-NPC between August 2017 and October 2021 were included. The chi-squared test, receiver operating characteristic, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and Cox proportional hazard model were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

We included 172 patients with EBV DNA-positive LA-NPC in this study. There were 35.5% (n = 61) of patients had plasma residual EBV DNA after induction chemotherapy (IC). Patients with higher EBV DNA before IC (p < 0.001) and advanced nodal stage (p = 0.031) were significantly related to a higher rate of residual postIC -EBV DNA. Patients with detectable postIC -EBV DNA had inferior 3-year locoregional relapse-free survival (LRFS) (86.7% vs. 96.9%, p = 0.020), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (76.8% vs. 94.2%, p < 0.001), disease-free survival (DFS) (68.2% vs. 91.1%, p < 0.001), and overall survival (OS) (87.8% vs. 97.9%, p = 0.044) compared to those with undetectable postIC -EBV DNA. The multivariate prognostic analyses showed that detectable postIC -EBV DNA was the independent prognostic factor related to LRFS (p = 0.032), DMFS (p = 0.010), and DFS (p = 0.004) than those with undetectable postIC -EBV DNA. Pretreatment EBV DNA load had no prognostic effect in the multivariate analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

The monitoring of plasma postIC -EBV DNA has improved prognostication in LA-NPC. Our findings suggest that postIC -EBV DNA may be a robust indicator to identify the optimal candidate for intensive treatment.

Emerging Roles of Circulating Tumor DNA for Increased Precision and Personalization in Radiation Oncology

Recent breakthroughs in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) technologies present a compelling opportunity to combine this emerging liquid biopsy approach with the field of radiogenomics, the study of how tumor genomics correlate with radiotherapy response and radiotoxicity. Canonically, ctDNA levels reflect metastatic tumor burden, although newer ultrasensitive technologies can be used after curative-intent radiotherapy of localized disease to assess ctDNA for minimal residual disease (MRD) detection or for post-treatment surveillance. Furthermore, several studies have demonstrated the potential utility of ctDNA analysis across various cancer types managed with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, including sarcoma and cancers of the head and neck, lung, colon, rectum, bladder, and prostate . Additionally, because peripheral blood mononuclear cells are routinely collected alongside ctDNA to filter out mutations associated with clonal hematopoiesis, these cells are also available for single nucleotide polymorphism analysis and could potentially be used to detect patients at high risk for radiotoxicity. Lastly, future ctDNA assays will be utilized to better assess locoregional MRD in order to more precisely guide adjuvant radiotherapy after surgery in cases of localized disease, and guide ablative radiotherapy in cases of oligometastatic disease.

Prognostic model on overall survival in elderly nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients: a recursive partitioning analysis identifying pre-treatment risk stratification

BACKGROUND

We aimed to evaluate the optimal management for elderly patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

METHODS

A total of 283 elderly patients with NPC diagnosed from 2015 to 2019 were enrolled in the study. Overall survival (OS) was the primary endpoint. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were preformed to identify potential prognostic factors. The recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was used for risk stratification. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were applied to evaluate the survival endpoints, and log-rank test was utilized to assess differences between groups. The prognostic index (PI) was constructed to further predict patients' prognosis displayed by nomogram model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (AUC) and the calibration curves were applied to assess the effectiveness of the model.

RESULTS

Based on RPA-based risk stratification, we demonstrated that elderly NPC patients who were treated with IC followed by RT had similar OS as those with induction chemotherapy (IC) combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in the middle- (stage I-III and pre-treatment EBV > 1840 copies/ml) and high-risk groups (stage IVA). IMRT alone may be the optimal treatment option for the low-risk group (stage I-III with pre-treatment EBV ≤ 1840 copies/ml). We established an integrated PI which was indicted with stronger prognostic power than each of the factors alone for elderly NPC patients (The AUC of PI was 0.75, 0.80, and 0.82 for 1-, 3-, 5-year prediction of OS, respectively).

CONCLUSION

We present a robust model for clinical stratification which could guide individual therapy for elderly NPC patients.

Role of chemotherapy in patients with nasopharynx carcinoma treated with radiotherapy (MAC-NPC): an updated individual patient data network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The meta-analysis of chemotherapy for nasopharynx carcinoma (MAC-NPC) collaborative group previously showed that the addition of adjuvant chemotherapy to concomitant chemoradiotherapy had the highest survival benefit of the studied treatment regimens in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Due to the publication of new trials on induction chemotherapy, we updated the network meta-analysis.

METHODS

For this individual patient data network meta-analysis, trials of radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy in patients with non-metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma that completed accrual before Dec 31, 2016, were identified and updated individual patient data were obtained. Both general databases (eg, PubMed and Web of Science) and Chinese medical literature databases were searched. Overall survival was the primary endpoint. A frequentist network meta-analysis approach with a two-step random effect stratified by trial based on hazard ratio Peto estimator was used. Global Cochran Q statistic was used to assess homogeneity and consistency, and p score to rank treatments, with higher scores indicating higher benefit therapies. Treatments were grouped into the following categories: radiotherapy alone, induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy, induction chemotherapy without taxanes followed by chemoradiotherapy, induction chemotherapy with taxanes followed by chemoradiotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, chemoradiotherapy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy, and radiotherapy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42016042524.

FINDINGS

The network comprised 28 trials and included 8214 patients (6133 [74·7%] were men, 2073 [25·2%] were women, and eight [0·1%] had missing data) enrolled between Jan 1, 1988, and Dec 31, 2016. Median follow-up was 7·6 years (IQR 6·2-13·3). There was no evidence of heterogeneity (p=0·18), and inconsistency was borderline (p=0·10). The three treatments with the highest benefit for overall survival were induction chemotherapy with taxanes followed by chemoradiotherapy (hazard ratio 0·75; 95% CI 0·59-0·96; p score 92%), induction chemotherapy without taxanes followed by chemoradiotherapy (0·81; 0·69-0·95; p score 87%), and chemoradiotherapy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (0·88; 0·75-1·04; p score 72%), compared with concomitant chemoradiotherapy (p score 46%).

INTERPRETATION

The inclusion of new trials modified the conclusion of the previous network meta-analysis. In this updated network meta-analysis, the addition of either induction chemotherapy or adjuvant chemotherapy to chemoradiotherapy improved overall survival over chemoradiotherapy alone in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

FUNDING

Institut National du Cancer and Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer.

Radiotherapy Alone Versus Concurrent or Adjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients with Negative Epstein–Barr Virus DNA after Induction Chemotherapy

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and toxicity of induction chemotherapy (IC) plus radiotherapy (RT) and IC plus concurrent or adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CCRT/AC) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients with negative Epstein–Barr virus DNA (EBV DNA) after IC. A total of 547 NPC patients with negative plasma EBV DNA post-IC were included. Patients were classified into the IC + RT group and the IC + CCRT/AC group. Locoregional relapse-free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated and compared using the Kaplan–Meier method. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance the variables. The median follow-up time was 37 months. The 3-year LRFS, DMFS, OS, and PFS rates for the whole group were 92.2%, 92.4%, 96.4%, and 84.4%, respectively. There was no significant difference in LRFS, DMFS, OS, and PFS between the IC + RT and the IC + CCRT/AC groups, both before PSM (3-year rates of 91.1% vs. 92.6%, p = 0.94; 95.6% vs. 91.5%, p = 0.08; 95.2% vs. 96.8%, p = 0.80; 85.9% vs. 84.0%, p = 0.38) and after PSM (90.7% vs. 92.7%, p = 0.77; 96.8% vs. 93.7%, p = 0.29; 94.5% vs. 93.9%, p = 0.57; 84.7% vs. 85.6%, p = 0.96). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the treatment schedule was not an independent predictor for survival rates. Patients in the IC + RT group had fewer treatment-related acute toxicities and better tolerance. IC + RT displayed similar survival outcomes as IC + CCRT/AC for NPC patients with negative post-IC EBV DNA.

Individualized number of induction chemotherapy cycles for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients based on early tumor response

BACKGROUND

The optimal number of cycles of induction chemotherapy (IC) in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC) is unclear. We aimed to combine the tumor response during IC and tumor stage to individualize the number of IC cycles.

METHODS

Totally, 498 LANPC patients who received IC plus CCRT between 2014 and 2018 were reviewed. Tumor response during IC was used to stratify patients with different risks. All patients were classified into those who received two cycles of IC and those who were treated with three cycles. Propensity score matching methods were performed to compare the treatment efficiency.

RESULTS

After two cycles of IC, 340/498 (68.3%) cases showed complete tumor response (CR)/partial response (PR) and 158 (31.7%) achieved stable disease (SD)/disease progression (PD). Unfavorable responders (SD/PD) exhibited poor survival outcomes. The three-cycle IC regimen was correlated with better OS and PFS than the two-cycle regimen for N2-3 patients in the CR/PR group. However, the use of different IC cycle strategies achieved similar survival outcomes for SD/PD or N0-1 patients. The incidences of acute toxicities were higher in the IC = 3 group.

CONCLUSIONS

Tumor response during IC could be a powerful predictor of LANPC and could be used to guide the individualized number of IC cycles. A three-cycle IC regimen seemed to be preferable for N2-3 patients who received CR/PR during IC. However, an additional cycle of IC could not benefit N0-1 or SD/PD patients, and the optimal treatment strategies for these patients require further consideration.

Recurrence risk stratification based on Epstein–Barr virus DNA to identify enlarged retropharyngeal lymph nodes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A model-histopathologic correlation study

Background

Accurate assessment of the nature of enlarged retropharyngeal lymph nodes (RLN) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients after radiotherapy is related to selecting appropriate treatments and avoiding unnecessary therapy. This study aimed to develop a non-invasive and effective model for predicting the recurrence of RLN (RRLN) in NPC.

Materials and methods

The data of post-radiotherapy NPC patients (N = 76) with abnormal enlargement of RLN who underwent endonasopharyngeal ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirations (EPUS-FNA) were examined. They were randomly divided into a discovery (n = 53) and validation (n = 23) cohort. Univariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between variables (magnetic resonance imaging characteristics, EBV DNA) and RRLN. Multiple logistic regression was used to construct a prediction model. The accuracy of the model was assessed by discrimination and calibration, and decision curves were used to assess the clinical reliability of the model for the identification of high risk RLNs for possible recurrence.

Results

Abnormal enhancement, minimum axis diameter (MAD) and EBV-DNA were identified as independent risk factors for RRLN and could stratify NPC patients into three risk groups. The probability of RRLN in the low-, medium-, and high-risk groups were 37.5, 82.4, and 100%, respectively. The AUC of the final predictive model was 0.882 (95% CI: 0.782–0.982) in the discovery cohort and 0.926 (95% CI, 0.827–1.000) in the validation cohort, demonstrating good clinical accuracy for predicting the RRLN of NPC patients. The favorable performance of the model was confirmed by the calibration plot and decision curve analysis.

Conclusion

The nomogram model constructed in the study could be reliable in predicting the risk of RRLN after radiotherapy for NPC patients.

Association of delayed chemoradiotherapy with elevated Epstein-Barr virus DNA load and adverse clinical outcome in nasopharyngeal carcinoma treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

To summarize the impact of radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy delays on patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

We retrospectively included 233 patients with stage II-IVa NPC treated with RT and chemotherapy between December 11, 2019 and March 11, 2020. The outcomes were elevation in the EBV DNA load between two adjacent cycles of chemotherapy or during RT, and 1-year disease-free survival (DFS).

RESULTS

RT delay occurred in 117 (50%) patients, and chemotherapy delay occurred in 220 (94%) patients. RT delay of ≥ 6 days was associated with a higher EBV DNA elevation rate (20.4% vs. 3.6%, odds ratio [OR] = 6.93 [95% CI = 2.49-19.32], P < 0.001), and worse 1-year DFS (91.2% vs. 97.8%, HR = 3.61 [95% CI = 1.37-9.50], P = 0.006), compared with on-schedule RT or delay of < 6 days. Chemotherapy delay of ≥ 10 days was not associated with a higher EBV DNA elevation rate (12.5% vs. 6.8%, OR = 1.94 [95% CI = 0.70-5.40], P = 0.20), or worse 1-year DFS (93.8% vs. 97.1%, HR = 3.73 [95% CI = 0.86-16.14], P = 0.059), compared with delay of < 10 days. Multivariable analyses showed RT delay of ≥ 6 days remained an independent adverse factor for both EBV DNA elevation and DFS.

CONCLUSION

To ensure treatment efficacy for patients with nonmetastatic NPC, initiation of RT should not be delayed by more than 6 days; the effect of chemotherapy delay requires further investigation.

Prognostic value of systemic inflammation response index in nasopharyngeal carcinoma with negative Epstein-Barr virus DNA

Background

Inflammatory parameters and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA status have been confirmed to be associated with prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. However, there are few in-depth studies on the prognosis of NPC patients with negative EBV DNA. Our study aimed to look for inflammatory biomarkers that can identify disease progression in NPC patients with negative EBV DNA.

Methods

A total of 795 NPC patients were recruited, and ultimately 325 NPC patients with negative EBV DNA were included in this study (170 in training cohort and 155 in validation cohort). Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test were used to analyze progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The multivariate analysis of Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to determine the independent prognostic factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess prognostic value. The logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between EBV DNA status and inflammatory parameters. The correlation between clinical characteristics was analyzed by the chi-squared test or the Fisher’s exact test.

Results

The optimal cutoff point for the SIRI was 1.12. The EBV DNA-negative NPC patients with high SIRI level had worse PFS and OS (all p < 0.001). In multivariate Cox proportional hazard models analysis, SIRI was an independent prognostic factor for PFS and OS (all p < 0.05), and had higher prognostic value than other indicators. Above results were found in the training cohort and confirmed in the validation cohort. In addition, EBV DNA status was not associated with any inflammatory parameters.

Conclusions

The SIRI can provide more accurate risk stratification and better prognostic prediction for NPC patients with negative EBV DNA.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09942-1.

Plasma Epstein-Barr viral DNA load after completion of two cycles of induction chemotherapy predicts outcomes for patients with advanced-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the prognostic value of plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA level following the completion of two induction chemotherapy cycles (ICT; post_2CICT-DNA) in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 534 patients with LA-NPC. Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was applied to derive a prognostic model for risk stratification. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to determine the survival results, and survival rates were compared using the log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazard model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Multivariate analyses revealed that post_2CICT-DNA and N stage were independent predictors of overall survival (OS; P = 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively), and post_2CICT-DNA, pre-treatment DNA, and N stage were independent predictors of progression-free survival (PFS; P = 0.002, P = 0.001, and P = 0.021, respectively).Based on prognostic factors (pre-treatment DNA, post_2CICT-DNA, and N stage), patients were stratified into three risk subgroups, with 288 patients in the low-, 213 in the intermediate-, and 33 in the high-risk group. The three-year OS rate of the low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups were 99.3% (95% CI 98.3%-100.0%), 90.0% (95% CI 85.5%-94.5%) and 67.0% (95% CI 49.9%-84.1%, P < 0.001 for each of the two groups), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Plasma EBV-DNA level after two ICT cycles is a powerful predictor of prognosis in patients with LA-NPC. RPA analysis revealed that stage N3 patients with detectable post_2CICT-DNA are at the highest risk of treatment failure, and future clinical trials should focus on early-treatment modification strategies for these patients.

The Promise of Circulating Tumor DNA in Head and Neck Cancer

As the seventh most common cancer globally, head and neck cancers (HNC) exert considerable disease burden, with an estimated 277,597 deaths worldwide in 2020 alone. Traditional risk factors for HNC include tobacco, alcohol, and betel nut; more recently, human papillomavirus has emerged as a distinct driver of disease. Currently, limitations of cancer screening and surveillance methods often lead to identifying HNC in more advanced stages, with associated poor outcomes. Liquid biopsies, in particular circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), offer the potential for enhancing screening, early diagnosis, and surveillance in HNC patients, with potential improvements in HNC patient outcomes. In this review, we examine current methodologies for detecting ctDNA and highlight current research illustrating viral and non-viral ctDNA biomarker utilities in HNC screening, diagnosis, treatment response, and prognosis. We also summarize current challenges and future directions for ctDNA testing in HNC patients.

Liquid Biopsy in Head and Neck Cancer: Current Evidence and Future Perspective on Squamous Cell, Salivary Gland, Paranasal Sinus and Nasopharyngeal Cancers

Simple Summary

Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common type of solid tumor and harbors a poor prognosis since most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage. The study of different tumor components in the blood, saliva or other body fluids is called liquid biopsy. The introduction of novel diagnostic tools such as liquid biopsy could aid in achieving earlier diagnoses and more accurate disease monitoring during treatment. In this manuscript, the reader will find an in-depth review of the current evidence and a future perspective on the role of liquid biopsy in head and neck cancer.

Abstract

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is currently the sixth most common solid malignancy, accounting for a 50% five-year mortality rate. In the past decade, substantial improvements in understanding its molecular biology have allowed for a growing development of new biomarkers. Among these, the field of liquid biopsy has seen a sustained growth in HNC, demonstrating the feasibility to detect different liquid biomarkers such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTC), extracellular vesicles and microRNAs. Liquid biopsy has been studied in HPV-negative squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) but also in other subentities such as HPV-related SCCHN, EBV-positive nasopharyngeal cancer and oncogene-driven salivary gland cancers. However, future studies should be internally and externally validated, and ideally, clinical trials should incorporate the use of liquid biomarkers as endpoints in order to prospectively demonstrate their role in HNC. A thorough review of the current evidence on liquid biopsy in HNC as well as its prospects will be conducted.

Can Epstein-Barr virus-deoxyribonucleic acid load after induction chemotherapy combined with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage determine the chemotherapy intensity of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

BACKGROUND

Induction chemotherapy (IC) comprising docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil (TPF), combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) effectively improves the survival rate of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC). Selecting patients whose risk of tumor recurrence and metastasis is high and the appropriate chemotherapy intensity is a concern. We combined tumor-node-metastasis staging with the load of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) after IC to select the individualized chemotherapy strength.

METHODS

The clinical data and prognostic factors of patients with stage III-IV LA-NPC treated with TPF IC combined with CCRT were analyzed retrospectively. The conventional treatment group received the standard three cycles TPF IC combined with CCRT. For the new treatment group, the cycles of IC were determined according to whether the EBV-DNA disappeared completely after a certain course of IC, if so, subsequent IC was stopped and the chemoradiotherapy stage was entered. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed at a ratio of 1:1 to balance baseline characteristics. Survival outcomes and adverse events between the conventional treatment group and the new method treatment group were compared.

RESULTS

The study included 256 patients, among whom 192 were matched successfully into 96 pairs. The patients were followed up for a median of 51 months. The proportions of patients receiving three, two, and one cycle of IC after PSM in the routine and new treatment cohorts were 93.8%, 3.1%, 3.1% versus 21.9%, 49.0%, 24.0%, respectively. However, their 3-year distant metastasis-free survival, local recurrence-free survival, progression-free survival, and overall survival did not differ significantly. The incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia toxicity in CCRT decreased significantly in patients receiving the new treatment method compared with that in the conventional treatment group (p = 0.026).

CONCLUSION

Combining TNM stage and EBV-DNA load after IC to determine the courses of IC in patients with LA-NPC did not alter the curative effect but decreased toxicity.

A nomogram based on tumor response to induction chemotherapy may predict survival in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the clinical significance of tumor response to induction chemotherapy (IC) in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC) patients and further to develop a nomogram for predicting survival prognosis.

METHODS

A total of 498 patients with stage III-IVA NPC applying IC and concurrent chemotherapy were reviewed (training cohort, n = 376; validation cohort, n = 122).

RESULTS

Tumor response was an independent predictor for clinical outcomes. The nomogram included age, N stage, pretreatment Epstein-Barr virus DNA, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, and tumor response achieved an ideal C-index of 0.703 (95% CI 0.655-0.751) in the validation cohort for predicting overall survival (OS), which outperformed than that of the TNM system alone (C-index, 0.670, 95% CI: 0.622-0.718). In addition, the nomogram could successfully classified patients into different risk groups.

CONCLUSIONS

We established and validated a precise and convenient nomogram based on tumor response for predicting the OS of LANPC patients.

Prognostic Value of Oral Epstein–Barr Virus DNA Load in Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Background: Plasma Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA load has been widely used for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) prognostic risk stratification. However, oral EBV DNA load, a non-invasive biomarker that reflects the EBV lytic replication activity, has not been evaluated for its prognostic value in NPC yet.

Methods: A total number of 1,194 locoregionally advanced NPC (LA-NPC) patients from south China were included from a prospective observational cohort (GARTC) with a median follow-up of 107.3 months. Pretreatment or mid-treatment mouthwashes were collected for EBV DNA detection by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The difference of pre- and mid-treatment oral EBV DNA load was tested by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The associations of oral EBV DNA load with overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), distant metastasis–free survival (DMFS), and locoregional relapse-free survival (LRFS) were assessed using the log-rank test and multivariate Cox regression.

Results: The high level of the oral EBV DNA load (>2,100 copies/mL) was independently associated with worse OS (HR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.20–1.74, p < 0.001), PFS (HR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.16–1.65, p < 0.001), DMFS (HR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.25–2.21, p = 0.001), and LRFS (HR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.05–1.96, p = 0.023). Similar and robust associations between oral EBV DNA load and prognosis were observed for patients in both the pretreatment and mid-treatment stages. The detection rate (71.7 vs. 48.6%, p < 0.001) and the median load of oral EBV DNA (13,368 vs. 382 copies/mL, p < 0.001) for patients in the pretreatment stage were significantly higher than those in the mid-treatment stage. The combination of the oral EBV DNA load and TNM staging provided a more precise risk stratification for the LA-NPC patients.

Conclusion: Oral EBV DNA load was an alternative non-invasive predictor of prognosis and may facilitate risk stratification for the LA-NPC patients.

The Integration of the Pre-Treatment Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in the Eighth Edition of the AJCC Staging System for Nasopharynx Cancer

Objective

The present study aimed to evaluate the role of integrating the pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) into the eighth edition of the AJCC staging system for nasopharynx cancer in an endemic region.

Methods

Between May 2007 and December 2012, a total of 713 cases with NPC were retrospectively analyzed. The separation ability in terms of overall survival (OS), local failure-free survival (LFFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and failure-free survival (FFS) was evaluated. The discriminatory ability was assessed using Harrell’s concordance index (c-index). Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was conducted and incorporated with pretreatment NLR.

Results

When integrated with NLR, the separate and discriminatory abilities for N classifications were improved in terms of OS and DMFS, but not for T categories. By using Recursive partitioning analysis, five subgroups were generated. Compared with the overall stage, the integration of NLR could not enhance the separate and discriminatory abilities. However, patients in the RPA 4 group gained significant benefits in terms of OS (HR 0.390 (95%CI 0.212-0.716), P = 0.002) and FFS (HR 0.548 (95%CI 0.314-0.958), P = 0.032) from the additional adjuvant chemotherapy after concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Conclusion

The integration of NLR into the 8^th edition of the AJCC staging system could enhance the separation and discriminatory abilities for N classifications, but not for T categories. In addition, patients in the RPA 4 group could benefit from the addition of adjuvant chemotherapy to concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Efficiency of high cumulative cisplatin dose in high- and low-risk patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The optimal cumulative cisplatin dose (CCD) during radiation therapy for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC) patients receiving induction chemotherapy (IC) plus CCRT remains controversial. This study aimed to explore the treatment efficiency of CCD for high-and low-risk patients with LA-NPC.

METHODS

Data from 472 LA-NPC patients diagnosed from 2014 to 2018 and treated with IC plus CCRT were reviewed. After propensity score matching, the therapeutic effects of a CCD > 200 and CCD ≤ 200 mg/m² were evaluated comparatively. Five factors selected by multivariate analysis were incorporated to develop a nomogram. Subgroup analysis was conducted to explore the role of different CCDs in nomogram-defined high- and low-risk groups. Additionally, acute toxicities were evaluated comparatively between the high- and low-CCD groups.

RESULTS

After matching, there was no difference between different CCD groups for all patients in terms of 3-year overall survival (OS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS), or progression-free survival (PFS). A nomogram was built by integrating pretreatment EBV DNA, clinical stage, and post-IC EBV DNA, post-IC primary gross tumor and lymph node volumes obtained a C-index of 0.674. The high-risk group determined by the nomogram had poorer 3-year PFS, OS, DMFS, and LRRFS than the low-risk group. A total of CCD > 200 mg/m² increased the survival rates of 3-year PFS and DMFS (PFS: 72.5% vs. 54.4%, p = 0.012; DMFS: 81.9% vs. 61.5%, p = 0.014) in the high-risk group but not in the low-risk group. Moreover, the high CCD increased treatment-related acute toxicities.

CONCLUSIONS

A high CCD was associated with better 3-year PFS and DMFS rates than a low dose for high-risk patients but could not produce a survival benefit for low-risk patients.

Multimodality Management of EBV-Associated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare cancer of the nasopharyngeal mucosa with a specific geographic predisposition. NPC is often associated with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection and as a result contains many characteristic biomarkers. Treatment of locally-contained NPC is generally achieved through use of radiotherapy (RT), as part of a multimodality treatment regimen. Induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent RT and platinum-based chemotherapy regimen has emerged as the definitive treatment of choice for locoregionally-advanced NPC. Recently, immunotherapy is finding a role in the treatment of recurrent or metastatic NPC. Immune checkpoint blockade therapies targeted against the programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor have demonstrated efficacy in early phase clinical trials, with ongoing phase III trials in effect. Biomarkers for treatment efficacy remain an ongoing area of investigation, with important prognostic implications on the horizon.

Cell-free EBV DNA as a biomarker during clinical management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a nonendemic region

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most common malignant tumor of the nasopharynx. Although NPC is not endemic in India, higher incidences were observed in its North-Eastern regions particularly Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. Early detection of NPC is difficult because the nasopharynx is not readily amenable to clinical examination and symptoms of NPC are nonspecific. The development of suitable biomarkers for early diagnosis of NPC as well as accurate monitoring of treatment response is needed urgently. In this exploratory pilot study, we have investigated the clinical significance of assessing plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA load at diagnosis and during treatment. We found that EBV DNA is detectable at diagnosis in the majority of patients with nonendemic NPC and the absolute copy number of circulating EBV DNA per milliliter increases progressively with the stage of the disease. The viral load declined significantly with induction chemotherapy and definitive chemoradiation but showed a sharp rise at relapse. Patients with EBV DNA levels ≥1500 copies/ml had a higher risk of disease progression or relapse when compared with patients who had EBV DNA <1500 copies/ml at baseline. Estimation of plasma EBV DNA may serve as an excellent noninvasive tool to monitor disease extent, response to therapy, and for better prediction of future relapse or progression-free survival in a nonendemic NPC patient population.

Prognostic Value of Plasma Epstein-Barr Virus DNA Levels Pre- and Post-Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Background

In this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of the plasma levels of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) at different treatment stages.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the Data of 206 patients with NPC. Pre-neoadjuvant chemotherapy (pre-NACT), post-NACT, post-radiotherapy, and post-treatment plasma EBV DNA levels were used to establish prognostic nomograms. The concordance index (C-index) and calibration curves were used to compare the prognostic accuracy of the nomograms. The results were confirmed in a validation cohort consisting of patients who were tested for EBV DNA levels at all four stages of treatment. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Survival differences were calculated using the log-rank test.

Results

EBV DNA-positive patients had worse 3-year PFS and 5-year OS than EBV DNA-negative patients; this was true for pre-NACT (PFS: 82.7% vs. 57.3%, P < 0.001; OS: 90.9% vs. 68.7%, P = 0.08) and post-NACT (PFS: 85.0% vs. 50.6%, P < 0.001; OS: 91.7% vs. 65.7%; P = 0.001) EBV DNA levels but not for post-radiotherapy (PFS: 72.2% vs. 60.9%, P = 0.192; OS: 73.1% vs. 77.2%, P = 0.472) or post-treatment (PFS: 77.3% vs. 59.2%, P = 0.063; OS: 77.5% vs. 79.7%, P = 0.644) levels. Nomograms combining pre-NACT and post-NACT EBV DNA levels had a superior prognostic ability than those of post-radiotherapy and post-treatment EBV DNA levels.

Conclusion

Pre-NACT EBV DNA levels combined with post-NACT EBV DNA levels can more reliably predict survival outcomes in patients with NPC.

Development of a Nomogram Model for Treatment of Elderly Patients with Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

(1) Purpose: This study aims to explore risk-adapted treatment for elderly patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC) according to their pretreatment risk stratification and the degree of comorbidity. (2) Methods: A total of 583 elderly LA-NPC patients diagnosed from January 2011 to January 2018 are retrospectively studied. A nomogram for disease-free survival (DFS) is constructed based on multivariate Cox regression analysis. The performance of the model is evaluated by using the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve and Harrell concordance index (C-index). Then, the entire cohort is divided into different risk groups according to the nomogram cutoff value determined by X-tile analysis. The degree of comorbidities is assessed by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Finally, survival rates are estimated and compared by the Kaplan–Meier method and the log-rank test. (3) Results: A nomogram for DFS is constructed with T/N classification, Epstein-Barr virus DNA and albumin. The nomogram shows well prognostic performance and significantly outperformed the tumor-node-metastasis staging system for estimating DFS (AUC, 0.710 vs. 0.607; C-index, 0.668 vs. 0.585; both p < 0.001). The high-risk group generated by nomogram has significantly poorer survival compared with the low-risk group (3-year DFS, 76.7% vs. 44.6%, p < 0.001). For high-risk patients with fewer comorbidities (CCI = 2), chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy is associated with significantly better survival (p < 0.05) than radiotherapy alone. (4) Conclusion: A prognostic nomogram for DFS is constructed with generating two risk groups. Combining risk stratification and the degree of comorbidities can guide risk-adapted treatment for elderly LA-NPC patients.

Prognostic Factors for Overall Survival in Nasopharyngeal Cancer and Implication for TNM Staging by UICC: A Systematic Review of the Literature

This study aims to identify prognostic factors in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) to improve the current 8th edition TNM classification. A systematic review of the literature reported between 2013 and 2019 in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus was conducted. Studies were included if (1) original clinical studies, (2) ≥50 NPC patients, and (3) analyses on the association between prognostic factors and overall survival. The data elements of eligible studies were abstracted and analyzed. A level of evidence was synthesized for each suggested change to the TNM staging and prognostic factors. Of 5,595 studies screened, 108 studies (44 studies on anatomical criteria and 64 on non-anatomical factors) were selected. Proposed changes/factors with strong evidence included the upstaging paranasal sinus to T4, defining parotid lymph node as N3, upstaging N-category based on presence of lymph node necrosis, as well as the incorporation of non-TNM factors including EBV-DNA level, primary gross tumor volume (GTV), nodal GTV, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein/albumin ratio, platelet count, SUVmax of the primary tumor, and total lesion glycolysis. This systematic review provides a useful summary of suggestions and prognostic factors that potentially improve the current staging system. Further validation studies are warranted to confirm their significance.

Prognostic Value of Regression Rate of Plasma EBV DNA After Induction Chemotherapy for Stage II-IVA Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Background/Objective

We aimed to explore the prognostic value of regression rate (RR) of plasma Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA after induction chemotherapy (IC) in patients with stages II–IVA nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

Eligible patients receiving IC followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy were included. The cut-off value of pre-treatment EBV DNA (pre-IC DNA) and RR were identified by receiver operating curve (ROC). Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was applied to create new staging. Harrell’s c-index and time-independent ROC were employed to compare different RPA staging.

Results

In total, 1,184 patients were included. The cut-off values of pre-IC DNA and RR were 16,200 copies/ml and 95.127% for patients receiving two cycles, and 5,520 copies/ml and 99.994% for those receiving three cycles. Notably, we only focused on patients receiving two cycles of IC. Patients with a RR >95.127% had significantly better 5-year overall survival (OS) than those with a RR ≤95.127% (86.2% vs. 54.3%, P <0.001). Then, RPA1 (pre-IC DNA + TNM staging + RR) and RPA2 (pre-IC DNA + TNM staging + post-IC EBV DNA [post-IC DNA]) staging systems were created. RPA1 staging achieved stronger power in OS prediction than RPA2 staging and TNM staging (c-index: 0.763 [0.714–0.812] vs. 0.735 [0.684–0.786] vs. 0.677 [0.604–0.749]; AUC: 0.736 vs. 0.714 vs. 0.628), indicating that RR had stronger prognostic power than post-IC DNA. Moreover, patients with stages III–IV_RPA1 could benefit from high concurrent cumulative platinum dose (≥160 mg/m²).

Conclusion

RR in conjunction with current TNM staging could better conduct risk stratification, prognosis prediction and help to guide precise concurrent chemotherapy.

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Its Association with Epstein-Barr Virus

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, yet incorporating measurement of EBV DNA levels into clinical practice remains a challenge. Here, we summarize the relationship between NPC and EBV infection before describing the use of cell-free DNA as a plasma biomarker in cancer. We then compare conventional polymerase chain reaction methods and emerging next-generation sequencing approaches for EBV viral load detection emphasizing their prognostic and predictive utility. We conclude by considering how assay standardization, novel molecular approaches, and alternative clinical specimens may be leveraged to bring EBV testing into the routine care of patients with NPC.

Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-1 is useful as therapeutic efficacy marker in serum but not in saliva of nasopharyngeal cancer patients who underwent radiotherapy

Introduction

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a multifactorial disease with genetic, viral, environmental and lifestyle-related risk factors. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) can promote the oncogenic transformation of an infected cell into malignant. EBV encodes many stimulating products including Epstein–Barr virus nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) which plays a key role in the regulation of gene expression and replication of the genome in the latent period of infection. EBNA-1 in serum and tumour tissue of NPC patients correlates with NPC prognosis. Moreover, the presence of EBV DNA in serum samples from NPC patients’ blood circulation can be used as an early marker in the diagnosis of NPC.

Objective

The objective of this study was to find effective methods for monitoring the progress of NPC patients undergoing radiotherapy and therapeutic efficacy by observing the changes in EBV DNA in serum and saliva.

Methodology

The pre-experimental design compared blood and saliva taken from a pre-test and post-test group of NPC patients before and after radiation therapy. The concentration of EBV DNA was measured in the serum and saliva after amplification using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) with compatible primers for the EBNA-1 gene. The data were statistically analysed by paired T-test.

Results

Highly significant (p = 0.0001) increase in cycle threshold qPCR and decrease in the mean concentration of EBV DNA (p = 0.0001) were observed in serum samples, but no significant changes were observed in saliva.

Conclusions

The results suggest that EBV DNA in serum can be used as the gold standard and a marker for monitoring the response to radiation therapy in NPC patients, whereas the examination of EBV DNA from saliva samples is not accurate and thus, not appropriate.

A systematic review and recommendations on the use of plasma EBV DNA for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an endemic malignancy in Southeast Asia, particularly Southern China. The classical non-keratinising cell type is almost unanimously associated with latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Circulating plasma EBV DNA can be a useful biomarker in various clinical aspects, but comprehensive recommendations and international guidelines are still lacking. We conducted a systematic review of all original articles on the clinical application of plasma EBV DNA for NPC; we further evaluated its strengths and limitations for consideration as standard recommendations.

METHODS

The search terms 'nasopharyngeal OR nasopharynx', and 'plasma EBV DNA OR cell-free EBV OR cfEBV' were used to identify full-length articles published up to December 2020 in the English literature. Three authors independently reviewed the article titles, removed duplicates and reviewed the remaining articles for eligibility.

RESULTS

A total of 81 articles met the eligibility criteria. Based on the levels of evidence and grades of recommendation assessed, it is worth considering the inclusion of plasma EBV DNA in screening, pre-treatment work-up for enhancing prognostication and tailoring of treatment strategy, monitoring during radical treatment, post-treatment surveillance for early detection of relapse, and monitoring during salvage treatment for recurrent or metastatic NPC. One major limitation is the methodology of measurement requiring harmonisation for consistent comparability.

CONCLUSIONS

The current comprehensive review supports the inclusion of plasma EBV DNA in international guidelines in the clinical aspects listed, but methodological issues must be resolved before global application.

Establishment of a Prognostic Nomogram for Patients With Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Incorporating TNM Stage, Post-Induction Chemotherapy Tumor Volume and Epstein-Barr Virus DNA Load

Objectives

To establish and validate an effective nomogram to predict clinical outcomes for patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC).

Materials and Methods

The clinicopathological parameters and follow-up information of 402 locoregionally advanced NPC patients (training cohort, n = 302; validation cohort, n = 100) were retrospectively enrolled. The nomogram was built with the important prognostic variables identified by Cox regression analysis. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were the primary and secondary endpoints, respectively. The predictive power and clinical utility of the nomogram were assessed using the Harrell concordance index (C-index), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis. We compared the eighth staging system model with the nomogram to analyze whether the model could improve the accuracy of prognosis

Results

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA load, the gross tumor volume (GTVnx), and cervical lymph node tumor volume (GTVnd) after induction chemotherapy were the independent predictors of OS and PFS. The calibration curves indicated superb agreement between the nomogram-predicted probabilities and observed actual probabilities of survival. The C-index and area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) of the nomogram integrating these significant factors and N stage, and TNM stage were higher than those of the eighth TNM system alone. In addition, the decision curve analyses demonstrated the clinical value and higher overall net benefit of the nomogram. High-risk groups identified by the nomogram had significantly poorer OS and PFS than the low-risk group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The multidimensional nomogram incorporating TNM stage, EBV DNA load, and tumor volume after induction chemotherapy led to a more precise prognostic prediction and could be helpful for stratifying risk and guiding treatment decisions in locoregionally advanced NPC patients who have undergone induction chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiation.

Prognostic value of serum uric acid and tumor response to induction chemotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

To explore the combined predictive value of serum uric acid (SUA) and tumor response to induction chemotherapy (IC) in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC) patients receiving IC followed by concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT).

METHODS

A total of 341 LANPC patients treated with IC + CCRT were enrolled in this retrospective study. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional relapse-free survival (LRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were compared by the Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test, and multivariable survival analysis was carried out to investigate the independent prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis showed that a low SUA level and unsatisfactory tumor response to two cycles of IC both were negative predictors for OS, PFS, and DMFS in patients with LANPC. multivariable analysis demonstrated that the SUA level after two cycles of IC was an independent prognostic factor for OS (P = 0.012) but of borderline significance for PFS and DMFS (P = 0.055 and P = 0.067, respectively). Furthermore, tumor response to IC was of independent significance for predicting OS, PFS, and DMFS, respectively. Finally, LANPC patients with satisfactory tumor response and a high SUA level after two cycles of IC had a better OS, PFS, and DMFS than those with unsatisfactory tumor response and a low SUA level.

CONCLUSION

The SUA level and the tumor response to two cycles of IC had predictive value for LANPC patients treated with IC plus CCRT. However, more aggressive therapeutic strategies are recommended for those with a low SUA level and unsatisfactory tumor response to two cycles of IC.

Epstein-Barr virus DNA loads in the peripheral blood cells predict the survival of locoregionally-advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients

OBJECTIVE

Circulating cell-free Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA has been shown to be a valuable biomarker for population screening and prognostic surveillance for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Despite important insights into the biology of persistence, few studies have addressed the clinical significance of cell-based EBV-DNA loads in peripheral blood cells (PBCs).

METHODS

A prospective observational cohort study was conducted involving 1,063 newly diagnosed, locoregionally-advanced NPC patients at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from 2005 to 2007. Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify the association of PBC EBV DNA loads to overall survival (OS) and other prognostic outcomes. Prognostic nomograms were developed based on PBC EBV DNA loads to predict survival outcomes for NPC patients.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 108 months, patients with higher PBC EBV-DNA loads had significantly worse OS [hazard ratio (HR) of medium, medium-high, and high vs. low were 1.50, 1.52, and 1.85 respectively; Ptrend < 0.001]. Similar results were found for progression-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival. The concordance index of the prognostic nomogram for predicting OS in the training set and validation set were 0.70 and 0.66, respectively. Our data showed that the PBC EBV DNA load was an independent and robust survival biomarker, which remained significant even after adjusting for plasma EBV DNA loads in a subset of 205 patients of the cohort (HR: 1.88; P = 0.025). Importantly, a combination of PBC EBV DNA load and plasma EBV DNA load improved the predicted OS.

CONCLUSIONS

The EBV-DNA load in PBCs may be an independent prognosis marker for NPC patients.

Circulating Epstein-Barr virus DNA level post induction chemotherapy contributes to prognostication in advanced-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

To investigate the value of post-induction chemotherapy (IC) cell-free Epstein-Barr virus DNA (cfEBV DNA_postIC) for prognostication in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC).

METHODS

A total of 910 histologically proven LA-NPC undergoing radical IC + concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT) or targeted radiotherapy (CTRT) or both (CTCRT) were involved. The concentration of cfEBV DNA was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction pre-IC (cfEBV DNA_preIC) and at IC completion. CfEBV DNA_postIC was classified as undetectable (0 copy/ml) and detectable (>0 copy/ml). Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) with respect to the overall survival (OS) was applied to construct a risk stratification system incorporating cfEBV DNA_postIC and critical risk factors.

RESULTS

We observed that 660 (72.5%) and 250 (27.5%) patients had cfEBV DNA_postIC undetectable and detectable respectively. CfEBV DNA_postIC positive was associated with a significant inferior 5-year OS (76.2% versus 85.9%), metastasis-free survival (DMFS, 71.7% versus 86.4%) and disease-free survival (DFS, 57.7% versus 80.1%) than cfEBV DNA_postIC negative (P < 0.001 for all). Additionally, cfEBV DNA_postIC was independently significant for OS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.90, 95% CI 1.40-2.59), DMFS (1.99, 1.45-2.71) and DFS (2.38, 1.86-3.06) in multivariate analyses (P < 0.001 for all). RPA modelling yielded three distinct risk groups: low-risk (N0-1 and undetectable cfEBV DNA_postIC or N2-3 and pre-treatment cfEBV DNA [cfEBV DNA_preIC] <7000), median-risk (N0-1 and detectable cfEBV DNA_postIC or N2-3 and cfEBV DNA_preIC ≥7000 with undetectable cfEBV DNA_postIC) and high-risk (N2-3 and cfEBV DNA_preIC ≥7000 with detectable cfEBV DNA_postIC), with 5-year OS of 88.1%, 79.2% and 66.9%, respectively. Our risk stratification outperformed TNM classification for predicting death (AUC, 0.631 versus 0.562; P = 0.012) and distant metastasis (0.659 versus 0.562; P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

CfEBV DNA_postIC represents an effective indicator of prognostication in LA-NPC. We developed a risk classification system that provides improved OS prediction over the current staging system by combining cfEBV DNA_postIC, cfEBV DNA_preIC and N-stage classification in LA-NPC.

Prognostic value of neutrophils for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between absolute neutrophils count (ANC) in different periods of treatment and the outcomes of patients and assess effect of longitudinal neutrophils variation during radiotherapy (RT) on prognosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODS

A total of 1753 patients with newly diagnosed NPC were retrospectively analyzed. Complete blood counts of patients were obtained before treatment, before, during, and end of RT. The survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and the result was compared by the log-rank test. The univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between the variation of ANC and survival for patients in different periods.

RESULTS

Higher ANC pretreatment (>4 × 109/L) and pre-RT (>7 × 109/L) were correlated with poor OS (89.7% vs 85.6%, P = .009; 88.3% vs 77.3%, P = .002, respectively). An increase >5 × 109/L of ANC during RT was associated with adverse OS (87.9% vs 73.6%, P = .042). The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high ANC of pre-RT (>7 × 109/L) and a high increase (>5 × 109/L) of ANC during RT were independent prognostic factors of patients with NPC (P = .002, .044, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated that ANC was an independent prognostic factor for survival in patients with NPC who received RT. Neutrophils may promote tumor resistance to radiotherapy in NPC.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2a.

Nomograms for predicting survival outcomes in intensity-modulated radiotherapy era of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A study based on Epstein-Barr virus DNA biological responses

BACKGROUND

Treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is evolving toward Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) era, which requires patient-specific reestimation of survival outcomes in modern health care.

METHODS

A total of 488 detectable pre-treatment Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA patients (stage II-IVa) treated with induction chemotherapy (IC) and IMRT were examined (training set, n = 325; validation set, n = 163).

RESULTS

Concurrent chemotherapy (CC) was still an independent prognosticator for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Both nomograms included age, T classification, N classification, post-IC EBV DNA, and CC. Predictions correlated well with observed 3-/5-year OS and PFS. The concordance index was 0.776 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69-0.86) for OS and 0.742 (95% CI 0.65-0.83) for PFS in the validation cohort. The nomograms can successfully classify patients into low- and high-risk groups.

CONCLUSION

The validated nomograms provided useful prediction of OS and PFS for detectable pre-treatment EBV DNA patients with NPC in IMRT era.

Targeting the signaling in Epstein-Barr virus-associated diseases: mechanism, regulation, and clinical study

Epstein–Barr virus-associated diseases are important global health concerns. As a group I carcinogen, EBV accounts for 1.5% of human malignances, including both epithelial- and lymphatic-originated tumors. Moreover, EBV plays an etiological and pathogenic role in a number of non-neoplastic diseases, and is even involved in multiple autoimmune diseases (SADs). In this review, we summarize and discuss some recent exciting discoveries in EBV research area, which including DNA methylation alterations, metabolic reprogramming, the changes of mitochondria and ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), oxidative stress and EBV lytic reactivation, variations in non-coding RNA (ncRNA), radiochemotherapy and immunotherapy. Understanding and learning from this advancement will further confirm the far-reaching and future value of therapeutic strategies in EBV-associated diseases.

Clinical and survival analysis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with consistently negative Epstein-Barr virus DNA

BACKGROUND

To assess the clinical and survival features of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with consistently negative Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA level.

METHODS

Propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to create well-balanced cohorts. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models were performed to conduct survival analysis.

RESULTS

Four hundred and eighty patients were enrolled. Patients with consistently negative plasma EBV DNA level had a greater chance to present a relatively earlier T and N classification compared with those with positive EBV DNA level (p < .001; p = .015). And patients with consistently negative EBV level were significantly associated with preferable 3-year DFS (95.0% vs. 84.4%, p = .004), DMFS (98.3% vs. 89.4%, p = .009), and OS (100% vs. 97.6%, p = .004).

CONCLUSIONS

NPC patients with consistently negative EBV DNA level performed an earlier clinical stage and negative EBV DNA level was related to preferable survival outcomes.

Serum Calcium Levels Before Antitumour Therapy Predict Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

PURPOSE

The prognostic value of serum calcium levels in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of serum calcium levels in patients with NPC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 2094 patients diagnosed with NPC between April 2009 and September 2012 were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. The median follow-up time was 96.3 months (range: 4.1-120.0 months). Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify significant and independent prognostic predictors of overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and relapse-free survival (RFS).

RESULTS

Overall, low serum calcium levels were detected in 1109/2094 (53.00%) patients and tended to be more frequently detected in older (P<0.001) and female (P=0.001) patients. Patients with low serum calcium levels had poorer OS (P=0.011), DFS (P=0.012) and DMFS (P=0.004) than those with high serum calcium levels, but serum calcium levels had no significant effect on RFS (P=0.376). In univariate and multivariable analyses, low serum calcium levels were a statistically significant and independent prognostic factor for OS, DFS, and DMFS but had no prognostic value for RFS.

CONCLUSION

Serum calcium levels can serve as a prognostic predictor and guide more individualized treatment for NPC patients.

Long-term monitoring of dynamic changes in plasma EBV DNA for improved prognosis prediction of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Background

This study was performed to investigate whether long‐term monitoring of dynamic changes in plasma Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) DNA could improve prognosis prediction of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Materials and methods

About 1077 nonmetastatic NPC patients were recruited to retrospectively analyze the prognostic value of plasma EBV DNA load pretreatment and 3, 12, 24, and 36 months posttreatment. We also examined the prognostic value of dynamic changes in plasma EBV DNA at various time points.

Results

Patients with plasma EBV DNA load above optimal pre‐ and posttreatment cut‐offs had significantly worse five‐year progression‐free survival, distant metastasis‐free survival, locoregional relapse‐free survival, and overall survival (OS) at all‐time points, excluding only OS at 36 months posttreatment due to limited mortalities. Patients with persistently undetectable plasma EBV DNA at the first four time points had the best prognosis, followed by those with positive detection pretreatment and consistently negative detection posttreatment, those with negative detection pretreatment and positive detection at one time point posttreatment, and those with positive detection pretreatment and at one time point posttreatment, whereas patients with positive detection at ≥2 time points posttreatment had the worst prognosis. Cox proportional hazard models identified the dynamic change pattern as an independent prognostic factor, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the dynamic change at four time point was more valuable than any single time point for predicting disease progression, distant metastasis, locoregional relapse, and mortality.

Conclusions

Dynamic changes in plasma EBV DNA pre‐ and posttreatment could predict the long‐term survival outcome and provide accurate risk stratification in NPC.

Treatment Deescalation Strategies for Nasopharyngeal Cancer: A Review

IMPORTANCE

Since the advent of modern radiotherapy techniques and incorporation of systemic chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer, locoregional control has been excellent. However, the rate of treatment-related complications, many of which are irreversible, remains high. New approaches are being explored to determine whether the toxic effects of treatment can be relieved while maintaining disease control. This review presents the current state of deescalation strategies for nasopharyngeal cancer.

OBSERVATIONS

A review of the literature shows that deescalation approaches can be generally categorized into deescalating systemic therapy vs deescalating radiotherapy. This review discusses studies that have explored sparing chemotherapy in selected patients with stage II cancer as well as altering the chemotherapy scheduling, dosing, and agent from the current standard of care, cisplatin. Deescalating radiotherapy has involved decreasing the dose and the treatment volume. In many cases, these approaches are being guided by measuring Epstein-Barr virus DNA levels, which is a robust biomarker for screening, treatment monitoring, and surveillance. Ongoing work with various imaging modalities, such as fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and dynamic contrast-enhanced or diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging sequences, have shown promise as another biomarker to safely guide practitioners toward deescalation.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Various strategies to deescalate treatment in nasopharyngeal cancer have been explored, and outcomes have remained excellent in most approaches. Patient selection remains key, and long-term outcomes and late complications are still to be determined. Continued investigation with prospective, multi-institutional studies are needed to better elucidate how treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma can best be individualized and deescalated.

A Prognostic Predictive System Based on Deep Learning for Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Images from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are crucial unstructured data for prognostic evaluation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We developed and validated a prognostic system based on the MRI features and clinical data of locoregionally advanced NPC (LA-NPC) patients to distinguish low-risk patients with LA-NPC for whom concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is sufficient.

METHODS

This multicenter, retrospective study included 3444 patients with LA-NPC from January 1, 2010, to January 31, 2017. A 3-dimensional convolutional neural network was used to learn the image features from pretreatment MRI images. An eXtreme Gradient Boosting model was trained with the MRI features and clinical data to assign an overall score to each patient. Comprehensive evaluations were implemented to assess the performance of the predictive system. We applied the overall score to distinguish high-risk patients from low-risk patients. The clinical benefit of induction chemotherapy (IC) was analyzed in each risk group by survival curves.

RESULTS

We constructed a prognostic system displaying a concordance index of 0.776 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.746 to 0.806) for the internal validation cohort and 0.757 (95% CI = 0.695 to 0.819), 0.719 (95% CI = 0.650 to 0.789), and 0.746 (95% CI = 0.699 to 0.793) for the 3 external validation cohorts, which presented a statistically significant improvement compared with the conventional TNM staging system. In the high-risk group, patients who received induction chemotherapy plus CCRT had better outcomes than patients who received CCRT alone, whereas there was no statistically significant difference in the low-risk group.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed framework can capture more complex and heterogeneous information to predict the prognosis of patients with LA-NPC and potentially contribute to clinical decision making.

The emerging data on choice of optimal therapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We focus on the emerging data from randomized clinical trials for optimal integration of induction, concurrent, and/or adjuvant chemotherapy with intensity-modulated radiotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and the use of plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA for risk stratification.

RECENT FINDINGS

Several phase 3 trials have shown that induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) improved overall survival or disease-free survival when compared to CRT alone in stage III/IV NPC who is at high risk of distant metastases. The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy following CRT when compared to CRT alone is uncertain. There are increasing clinical data supporting the use of plasma EBV DNA for risk stratification. There are growing clinical data supporting the integration of immune checkpoint inhibitors into the induction, concurrent, and/or adjuvant/maintenance phase of treatment in locally advanced NPC.

SUMMARY

Concurrent chemoradiation remains the standard treatment backbone in locally advanced NPC. There is level 1 evidence for induction chemotherapy followed by CRT in stage III/IV NPC. There is increasing evidence against the indiscriminate use of adjuvant chemotherapy following CRT. With the increasing treatment intensification, future treatment algorithm in NPC should incorporate plasma EBV DNA and other biomarkers for risk stratification and treatment selection.