Beneficial effects of anti-EGFR agents, Cetuximab or Nimotuzumab, in combination with concurrent chemoradiotherapy in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is prevalent in southeast Asia and northern Africa, especially in southern China where the incidence can reach as high as 20/100,000 [1]. When newly diagnosed, most patients present with locoregionally advanced NPC [2]. According to the 2017 National Comprehensive Cancer network (NCCN) guidelines for head and neck cancer, concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is recommended as basic treatment for stage II-IVb (AJCC/UICC 7th edition, 2011) NPC patients [3]. Compared to two-dimensional radiation therapy (2D-RT), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) achieved better local control rate up to 90%, with less radiation related toxicity [4 –6].
Source: Oral Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Source Type: research