Combining Toripalimab with Surgery for Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Official title: Toripalimab Plus Surgery vs Surgery Alone for Resectable Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: a Prospecitve, Parallel, Multicenter, Phase III, Randomized Clinical Trial
Run by Sun Yat-sen University · NCT04778956 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing whether adding a new drug called Toripalimab to surgery can help people with recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer live longer and have better outcomes than surgery alone.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 218 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Sun Yat-sen University Academic / other |
| Locations | 7 sites (Guangzhou, Guangdong and 6 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 3, 2021 |
| Main results expected | March 3, 2025 |
| Study ends | March 3, 2033 |
| Registry record updated | March 4, 2021 |
| Trial ID | NCT04778956 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are patients with histologically confirmed, resectable recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma who have not experienced recurrence within six months post-radiotherapy.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with unresectable tumors or those who have not completed the required time since previous treatments may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of adding Toripalimab, a PD-1 antibody, to salvage surgery for patients with resectable locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either the combination of Toripalimab and surgery or surgery alone. The study aims to compare the disease progression rates and survival outcomes between the two groups. It is conducted across multiple centers to ensure a diverse patient population and robust data collection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve survival rates and reduce disease progression in patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promising results with PD-1 inhibitors in similar contexts, suggesting potential for success in this trial.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. The recurrence time is more than 6 months from the end of radiotherapy. 2. Histologically confirmed recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. 3. Resectable nasopharyngeal diseases: recurrent T1 (the tumor is confined in nasopharynx, oropharynx and/or nasal cavity without parapharyngeal involvement); recurrent T2 (the tumor is confined in the superficial parapharyngeal spacer and is more than 0.5cm far from the internal carotid artery) and recurrent T3 (the tumor is confined in the base wall of the sphenoid sinus and is more than 0.5cm far from the internal carotid artery and cavernous sinus). (according to the 8th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for nasopharyngeal carcinoma) 4. Resectable recurrent regional lymph node diseases (recurrent N1-3) without prevertebral fascia, cervical vertebrae, or common/internal carotid artery involvement. (according to the 8th edition of AJCC staging system) 5. Given written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) ≤70. 2. Has severe medical disorder, important organ dysfunction, and/or a substantial history of mental illness. 3. Has known subjects with other malignant tumors. 4. Has participated in other drug trials within 3 months of planned start of study treatment. 5. Received a systematic or local glucocorticoid therapy within 4 weeks of planned start of study treatment. 6. Suffered from diseases need long-term treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, or required systematic or local glucocorticoid therapy with immunosuppressive doses. 7. Prior therapy with a PD-1, anti-PD-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) or cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) agent. 8. Has active autoimmune disease (e.g., uveitis, enteritis, hepatitis, hypophysitis, nephritis, vasculitis, hyperthyroidism, and asthma requiring bronchodilator therapy). Patients with skin disease that doesn't require systemic treatment (e.g., vitiligo, psoriasis, or alopecia) will be allowed to enroll. 9. Has a known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), has hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive with hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA copy number of ≥1000cps/ml or hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody positive. 10. Has received a live vaccine within 4 weeks of planned start of study treatment. 11. Pregnancy or breast feeding. 12. Cannot complete regular follow-up.
Where it's running
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Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China Recruiting -
The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China Not yet recruiting -
Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China Not yet recruiting -
The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China Not yet recruiting -
The First People's Hospital of Foshan
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China Not yet recruiting -
Zhongshan People's Hospital
Zhongshan, Guangdong, China Not yet recruiting
Show 1 more location
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The Tenth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University
Nanchang, Jiangxi, China Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ming-Yuan Chen, MD, PhD — Sun Yat-sen University
- Study coordinator: Ming-Yuan Chen, MD, PhD
- Email: chmingy@mail.sysu.edu.cn
- Phone: 86-20-87343624
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This trial will try a lower radiotherapy dose (40.2 Gy) instead of the standard 49.2 Gy for people with stage II nasopharyngeal cancer who had a strong response to induction chemo and have undetectable EBV DNA.
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.