New treatments for advanced nasopharyngeal cancer with detectable EBV DNA after chemotherapy

A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Phase III Trial of Induction Plus Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Plus Camrelizumab or Nimotuzumab Versus Induction Plus Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma With Detectable EBV DNA After One Cycle GP Regime Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Phase 3 Interventional Fudan University · NCT05772208

This study is testing if adding two new treatments, camrelizumab or nimotuzumab, to standard chemotherapy can help people with advanced nasopharyngeal cancer who still have detectable EBV DNA after their first round of treatment.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment459 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
SponsorFudan University Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, camrelizumab, nimotuzumab, carrilizumab, nituzumab
Locations1 site (Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality)
Trial IDNCT05772208 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This multicenter randomized phase 3 trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of adding camrelizumab or nimotuzumab to standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The study focuses on patients whose EBV DNA remains detectable after one cycle of chemotherapy, indicating a poorer prognosis. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the combination of camrelizumab or nimotuzumab with standard treatment, or standard treatment alone. The primary goal is to determine if these additions improve treatment outcomes for this specific patient group.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18-70 with newly diagnosed non-keratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma and detectable EBV DNA after one cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Not a fit: Patients with keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma or those who do not meet the eligibility criteria may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved treatment outcomes for patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma who have detectable EBV DNA after initial chemotherapy.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies exploring treatments for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the specific combination of therapies in this trial is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with newly histologically confirmed non-keratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma, type of WHO II or III, EGFR+.
2. Age 18-70 years.
3. Clinical stage III-IVa (based on the 8th American Joint Committee on Cancer\[AJCC\] edition).
4. Patients with detectable pre-treatment plasma EBV DNA which remained detectable after one cycle neoadjuvant.
5. ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) score: 0-1
6. Hemoglobin (HGB) ≥90 g/L, white blood cell (WBC) ≥4×109 /L, platelet (PLT) ≥100×109 /L.
7. Liver function: Alanine transaminase(ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase(AST)\< 1.5 times the upper limit of normal value (ULN), total bilirubin \<1.0×ULN.
8. Renal function: serum creatinine \<1×ULN.
9. Patients must sign informed consent and be willing and able to comply with the requirements of visits, treatment, laboratory tests and other research requirements stipulated in the research schedule.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Histologically confirmed keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (WHO I)
2. Suffered from other malignant tumors (except the cure of basal cell carcinoma or uterine cervical carcinoma in situ) previously.
3. Receiving radiotherapy or chemotherapy or targeted therapy previously
4. Women of child-bearing potential who are pregnant or breastfeeding because of the potentially dangerous effects of the preparative chemotherapy on the fetus or infant.
5. Patients with significantly lower heart, liver, lung, kidney and bone marrow function.
6. Severe, uncontrolled medical conditions and infections.
7. At the same time using other test drugs or in other clinical trials.
8. Refusal or inability to sign informed consent to participate in the trial.
9. Emotional disturbance or mental

Where this trial is running

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Nasopharyngeal CarcinomaEBV DNAcamrelizumabnimotuzumab
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.