@Article{096504017X15079846743590,
AUTHOR = {Wang Fangzheng, Jiang Chuner, Ye Zhiming, Liu Tongxin, Yan Fengqin, Wang Lei, Li Bin, Hu Fujun, Chen Ming, Qin Weifeng, Fu Zhenfu},
TITLE = {Long-Term Use of Nimotuzumab in Combination With Intensity-Modulated  Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Locoregionally Advanced  Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Experience of a Single Institution},
JOURNAL = {Oncology Research},
VOLUME = {26},
YEAR = {2018},
NUMBER = {2},
PAGES = {277--287},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/or/v26n2/56639},
ISSN = {1555-3906},
ABSTRACT = {In this retrospective review of a single institution’s experience, the efficacy and safety of the long-term use of 
nimotuzumab in combination with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and chemotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) were studied. Between August 2008 and March 
2014, 39 newly diagnosed patients with stages III–IV NPC were treated with IMRT, chemotherapy, and nimotuzumab. Twenty patients were diagnosed with stage III (51.3%), 14 with stage IVA (35.9%), and 5 with stage 
IVB (12.8%) disease. All patients received at least one cycle of cisplatin-based induction chemotherapy followed by IMRT and more than nine cycles of nimotuzumab at 200 mg/week. Acute and late radiation-related 
toxicities were graded according to the Acute and Late Radiation Morbidity Scoring Criteria of the Radiation 
Therapy Oncology Group. Accumulated survival was calculated according to the Kaplan–Meier method. 
The log-rank test was used to compare survival differences. With a median follow-up of 46 months (range, 
22–86 months), the estimated 3-year local recurrence-free, regional recurrence-free, distant metastasis-free, 
progression failure-free, and overall survival rates were 92.1%, 89.7%, 82.5%, 77.6%, and 86.8%, respectively. 
Univariate analysis showed that clinical stage and the cycle of induction chemotherapy were related with prognosis. The median cycle for the addition of nimotuzumab was 12 weeks. Grade 3 radiation-induced mucositis 
was observed in 15.8% of the treated patients. No skin rash or infusion reaction was observed, which is distinctly different from what was reported in patients treated with nimotuzumab. The major toxicities observed 
were grades I–II mucositis and leukocytopenia. Long-term use of nimotuzumab plus IMRT showed promising 
outcomes in terms of locoregional control and survival, without increasing the incidence of radiation-related 
toxicities in patients.},
DOI = {10.3727/096504017X15079846743590}
}