Induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and gemcitabine followed by reirradiation for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Objectives: Patients with advanced local recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have a poor prognosis. Retreatment by external radiotherapy is frequently the only option but results are usually poor. This study was conducted to evaluate the benefits of adding induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and gemcitabine before reirradiation for locally recurrent NPC.

Methods: Twenty patients with locally recurrent NPC not amenable to brachytherapy or surgery were enrolled between September 2001 and October 2003. The T stage distribution at recurrence was 5% rT2, 30% rT3, and 65% rT4. Induction chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin 40 mg/m2 and gemcitabine 1.25 g/m days 1 and 8 for 3 times per week for 3 cycles, followed by reirradiation using intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Results: A total of 58 chemotherapy cycles were administered to patients and most received 3 cycles. Hematological toxicities were mild, with grade 3 and 4 neutropenia in 55% and 5% of patients, respectively, and grade 3 thrombocytopenia in 5%. After chemotherapy, 15 patients achieved partial response (75%). Seventeen patients received external reirradiation and one had radiosurgery after chemotherapy. Severe acute radiation toxicities were uncommon. After a median follow-up of 14.5 months, 55% of patients had locoregional progression and 45% had died. The 1-year locoregional progression-free, local progression-free, and overall survival rates were 63%, 68%, and 80%, respectively. In patients with external reirradiation, the 1-year local progression-free and overall survival rates were 75% and 88%. Patients with rT2-3 stage had significantly better 1-year local control rates than those with rT4 stage (100% versus 52%).

Conclusions: The combination cisplatin and gemcitabine is active and well-tolerated in locally recurrent NPC. The current approach of using induction chemotherapy before reirradiation may improve the outcome of patients with advanced local recurrence and merits further investigation.