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Optimization of Cervical Nodal CTV for Early and Medium Stage NPC

Phase 3
Recruiting
Conditions
Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Interventions
Radiation: intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with reduced-volume
Drug: Chemotherapy
Registration Number
NCT05145660
Lead Sponsor
Jun-Lin Yi, MD
Brief Summary

Current radiotherapy guidelines and consensus statements uniformly recommend elective region irradiation (ERI) as the standard strategy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, given the scarcity of skip-metastasis, the improved assessment accuracy of nodal involvement, and the striking advancements in chemotherapy for NPC, a one-fits-all delineation scheme for clinical target volumes for the nodal region (CTVn) may not be appropriate anymore, and modifications of the CTVn delineation strategy may be warranted. Involved site irradiation (ISI) covering merely the initially involved nodal site and potential extranodal extension has been confirmed to be as effective as ERI with decreased radiation-related toxicities in some malignancies, but has not yet been investigated in NPC. This study aims to compare the regional control, survival outcomes, radiation-related toxicities, and quality of life (QoL) of ISI with conventional ERI in NPC patients with a limited nodal burden.

Detailed Description

ISRT-NPC is a prospective, multicenter, open-label, noninferiority, phase III randomized controlled trial. A total of 488 patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive ISI or ERI. Randomization will be stratified by institution and N stage. Generally, in the ISI group, the high-risk CTV1 (dose: 60 Gy) includes a 1-cm expansion of the positive LN as well as the VIIa and the retrostyloid space above the bilateral transverse process of the atlantoaxial spine (C1), regardless of N status. The low-risk CTV2 (Dose: 50 Gy) covers the cervical nodal region with a 3-cm caudal expansion below the transverse process of C1 for N0 disease and a 3-cm expansion below the positive LN for positive LNs (at least covering the level II).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
414
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Involved site irradiationChemotherapyHigh-risk CTV1 : GTVnx plus a 10-mm margin to encompass the microscopic extension of the gross tumor, the whole nasopharynx, the high-risk structures recommended for CTVp2 by the contouring consensus\* (such as parapharyngeal space, skull base, pterygopalatine fossa and the inferior part of the nasal cavity and maxillary sinus), the VIIa, and the retrostyloid space above the bilateral transverse process of C1. Low-risk CTV2: N0/positive RPLN only: Bilateral cervical nodal region with the 3-cm caudal expansion below transverse process of C1, and at least covering the level II. N1-2 (positive cervical LNs): Ipilateral cervical nodal region with the 3-cm expansion below the positive LN (GTVnd), and at least covering the level II; contralateral cervical nodal region with the 3-cm caudal expansion below the transverse process of C1, and at least covering the level II. Suspicious LN: 1-cm expansion below the suspicious LN (GTVnd-suspicious)
Elective region irradiationintensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with reduced-volumeHigh-risk CTV1 : GTVnx plus a 10-mm margin to encompass the microscopic extension of the gross tumor, the whole nasopharynx, the high-risk structures recommended for CTVp2 by the contouring consensus\* (such as parapharyngeal space, skull base, pterygopalatine fossa and the inferior part of the nasal cavity and maxillary sinus), the VIIa, and the retrostyloid space above the bilateral transverse process of C1. Low-risk CTV2: N0/positive RPLN only: Bilateral level III + Va N1-2 (positive cervical LNs): At least one subsequent level below CTV1
Involved site irradiationintensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with reduced-volumeHigh-risk CTV1 : GTVnx plus a 10-mm margin to encompass the microscopic extension of the gross tumor, the whole nasopharynx, the high-risk structures recommended for CTVp2 by the contouring consensus\* (such as parapharyngeal space, skull base, pterygopalatine fossa and the inferior part of the nasal cavity and maxillary sinus), the VIIa, and the retrostyloid space above the bilateral transverse process of C1. Low-risk CTV2: N0/positive RPLN only: Bilateral cervical nodal region with the 3-cm caudal expansion below transverse process of C1, and at least covering the level II. N1-2 (positive cervical LNs): Ipilateral cervical nodal region with the 3-cm expansion below the positive LN (GTVnd), and at least covering the level II; contralateral cervical nodal region with the 3-cm caudal expansion below the transverse process of C1, and at least covering the level II. Suspicious LN: 1-cm expansion below the suspicious LN (GTVnd-suspicious)
Elective region irradiationChemotherapyHigh-risk CTV1 : GTVnx plus a 10-mm margin to encompass the microscopic extension of the gross tumor, the whole nasopharynx, the high-risk structures recommended for CTVp2 by the contouring consensus\* (such as parapharyngeal space, skull base, pterygopalatine fossa and the inferior part of the nasal cavity and maxillary sinus), the VIIa, and the retrostyloid space above the bilateral transverse process of C1. Low-risk CTV2: N0/positive RPLN only: Bilateral level III + Va N1-2 (positive cervical LNs): At least one subsequent level below CTV1
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Regional-recurrence-free survival3-year

measured from the registration to the documented regional recurrence

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Overall survival3-year

measured from registration to documented death from any cause or last follow-up

Progression-free survival3-year

measured from registration to documented locoregional recurrence or distant metastasis or death from any cause

Number of Participants with acute and late radiation-related toxicities8-year

Acute radiation-related toxicities are assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria version 4.0 scale. Acute radiation-related toxicities include dermatitis, mucositis, dry mouth, dysphagia, trismus, and subcutaneous soft tissue. Late radiation toxicities are assessed according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) late radiation morbidity scoring scheme, including skin, neck tissue damage, hypothyroidism, dry mouth, dysphagia, trismus, and other adverse events.

Distant metastasis-free survival3-year

measured from registration to documented distant metastasis or death from any cause

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC)

🇨🇳

Beijing, China

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