A triplet chemotherapy regimen of cisplatin, fluorouracil and paclitaxel for locoregionally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma cases contraindicated for re-irradiation/surgery.

OBJECTIVE

Salvage treatment for locoregionally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma remains a significant challenge. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy, toxicity and prognostic factors of a triplet chemotherapy regimen involving cisplatin, fluorouracil and paclitaxel (TPF) for locoregionally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cases contraindicated for re-irradiation/surgery.

METHODS

Patients with locoregionally recurrent NPC unsuitable for re-irradiation/surgery were treated with TPF therapy. The chemotherapy drugs were administered as follows: 135 mg/m(2) paclitaxel on day 1, 25 mg/m(2)/day cisplatin on days 1-3, followed by continuously infused intravenous fluorouracil for 120 h at a variable dosage from 600 to 800 mg/m(2)/day, depending on prior radiation.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients were enrolled. The overall response was 66.7%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 8.5 and 27.2 months, respectively. Toxicity was mild to moderate. Neutropenia and leukopenia were the primary grade 3-4 chemotherapy toxicities. 6 patients who regained the potential for re-radiotherapy or surgery showed significantly better outcomes than those treated with chemotherapy alone (median PFS: 20.8 vs. 7.1 months, P = 0.005; median OS: 54.2 vs. 20.6 months, P = 0.021).

CONCLUSION

TPF triplet chemotherapy showed a high response rate for locoregionally recurrent NPC with an acceptable toxicity profile.