Cetuximab in combination with chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of recurrent and/or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and toxicity of cetuximab in the combined treatment for patients with recurrent and/or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (R/M NPC). Between March 2007 and November 2011, a total of 30 R/M NPC patients treated with comprehensive therapy including cetuximab were retrospectively enrolled. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy was delivered in recurrent disease with a median dose of 60 Gy. Chemotherapy regimens included TP/TPF (docetaxel 60-75 mg/m d1+DDP 25 mg/m d1-3±5-FU 500 mg/m/day with 120-h infusion), GP (gemcitabine 1.0 g/m d1, d8+DDP 25 mg/m d1-3), and PC (paclitaxel 60 mg/m/week d1+carboplatin AUC 2/week d1). Acute and late toxicities were documented by the radiation oncologists. The median age of the patients was 44 years (range 26-62). A total of 21 patients (70%) achieved response (CR+PR). The median survival time, time to progression, and 2-year overall survival were 23.6, 12.2 months, and 53.3%, respectively. Cetuximab appears to be effective and well tolerated when combined with chemoradiation therapy for the treatment of R/M NPC.