Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 3 Interventional Ages 18 to 70

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

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
Enrollment218 (estimated)
SponsorSun Yat-sen University
Academic / other
Locations7 sites (Guangzhou, Guangdong and 6 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMarch 3, 2021
Main results expectedMarch 3, 2025
Study endsMarch 3, 2033
Registry record updatedMarch 4, 2021
Trial IDNCT04778956 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

  • 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
  • The Tenth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University
    Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
    Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.