Improving TNM-10 staging for nasopharyngeal cancer worldwide
International Collaborative Study to Develop the AJCC/UICC TNM Version-Ten for Nasopharyngeal Cancer
This project will collect data from people with nasopharyngeal cancer treated in 2025–2026 to see if updating the TNM-10 anatomical staging and adding blood and molecular markers can better predict outcomes.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 5000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Shenzhen, Guangdong) |
| Trial ID | NCT07013461 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is an international, multicenter prospective observational effort enrolling consecutive histologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated between 1 October 2025 and 30 September 2026. The study will harmonize universally assessable anatomical TNM parameters across centers and combine them with non-anatomical factors such as circulating EBV DNA and hematologic biomarkers. Data will come from high-incidence regions (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) and from non-endemic areas to provide broadly applicable evidence. The overall aim is to generate high-quality prospective data to inform development of the next AJCC/UICC TNM Version-Ten for NPC.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are all patients with histologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma who receive treatment at participating centers between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026.
Not a fit: Patients with non-epithelial nasopharyngeal tumors (for example lymphoma, sarcoma, mucosal melanoma, salivary-type tumors, or bone/cartilage tumors) are excluded and would not be expected to benefit from the NPC-focused staging updates.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give clinicians more accurate staging and personalized treatment guidance, helping to reduce under- or overtreatment.
How similar studies have performed: Retrospective studies have supported the prior TNM-9 updates and shown prognostic value for EBV DNA and blood biomarkers, but a large international prospective effort to integrate these factors into a formal TNM-10 framework is novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * All histologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated between 1 Oct 2025 and 30 Sep 2026 Exclusion Criteria: * Non-epithelial tumors of nasopharynx (including lymphoma, sarcoma of soft tissue, bone/cartilagetumors. mucosal melanoma, salivary type tumors)
Where this trial is running
Shenzhen, Guangdong
- The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital — Shenzhen, Guangdong, China (Recruiting)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.