Prognostic value of early radiological response to first-line platinum-containing chemotherapy in patients with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

Background: To explore the prognostic value of early radiological response (ERR) to first-line platinum-containing chemotherapy in patients with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (mNPC), as well as its correlation with the best radiological response (BRR). Patients and methods: A total of 756 mNPC patients with measurable lesions who received first-line platinum-containing chemotherapy were enrolled in this study. ERR was defined as complete or partial response after 6 weeks of chemotherapy according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. We performed survival analyses according to the radiological response after repeated chemotherapy. Log-rank test and Cox regression were used to analyze the survival data. Results: About 470 patients achieved ERR and 78 patients achieved subsequent response (objective response after repeated chemotherapy). ERR patients had better OS (P