Serplulimab with Induction Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy in Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Official title: Induction Chemotherapy Combined With Serplulimab Induction/Maintenance Therapy and Omission of Concurrent Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (UNION-NPC-001): A Multicenter, Open-Label, Randomized, Controlled, Phase III, Non-Inferiority Clinical Trial
Run by Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology · NCT07177443 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This phase 3 trial tests whether giving serplulimab with induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy, then maintenance therapy, can help people with locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer who respond well to initial chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 710 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | immunotherapy, prednisone, serplulimab, chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Wuhan, Hubei) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 26, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2035 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2035 |
| Registry record updated | September 17, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07177443 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adult patients (18-65) with non-keratinizing locoregionally advanced NPC (Stage II-III per AJCC 9th edition) who show ≥50% tumor shrinkage and undetectable EBV DNA after induction GP therapy.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who do not achieve ≥50% tumor regression or have detectable EBV DNA after induction therapy may not benefit from this strategy.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Adults with locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer who have partial tumor shrinkage after induction chemotherapy will be randomized to receive radiotherapy alone with serplulimab maintenance or standard cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy with serplulimab maintenance. The study compares event-free survival, overall survival, and safety outcomes, including hearing loss and quality of life. It is a multicenter trial conducted at Wuhan Union Hospital, led by Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College. Eligible participants must have non-keratinizing NPC, good performance status, and adequate organ function. The trial emphasizes patient-centered outcomes with both investigator and patient-reported adverse events and QoL assessments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could reduce exposure to concurrent chemotherapy while maintaining or improving survival and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous similar strategies combining immunotherapy with chemoradiation have shown promise in head and neck cancers, but this specific induction-chemoradiation-de-escalation approach is being tested in NPC.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Age at diagnosis: 18-65 years;
2. Pathologically confirmed treatment-naïve nasopharyngeal carcinoma of "non-keratinizing type (WHO classification)";
3. Locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma staged per the 9th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system: Stage II (T1-3N2), Stage III(T1-4N3 or T4N1-2);
4. ECOG performance status: 0-1;
5. Post-induction therapy requirements:
Radiological assessment showing ≥50% tumor regression (RECIST 1.1) Undetectable plasma EBV DNA levels;
6. Adequate bone marrow function:
White blood cell count \>4×10⁹/L Hemoglobin \>90 g/L Platelet count \>100×10⁹/L;
7. Normal hepatic/renal function:
Total bilirubin ≤1.5×upper limit of normal (ULN) AST/ALT ≤2.5×ULN Alkaline phosphatase ≤2.5×ULN Creatinine clearance ≥60 mL/min;
8. Normal results for:
Thyroid function tests Amylase and lipase Pituitary function Inflammatory/infection markers Cardiac enzymes Electrocardiogram
Additional requirements:
Pulmonary function tests for smokers \>50 years Cardiac ultrasound + myocardial function tests for patients with ECG abnormalities or cardiovascular history (unless meeting exclusion criterion (8));
9. Signed informed consent with willingness/compliance to follow study schedules for treatment, follow-up, and laboratory tests;
10. For women of childbearing potential: Agreement to use reliable contraception (e.g., condoms, prescribed oral contraceptives) from screening until 1 year post-treatment.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection:
HBsAg-positive with HBV DNA \>1×10³ copies/mL (patients with controlled viremia \[\<1×10³ copies/mL\] after antiviral therapy are eligible).
2. Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection: Anti-HCV antibody-positive.
3. HIV/AIDS: Anti-HIV antibody-positive or diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
4. Active Tuberculosis (TB): History of active TB within the past year (regardless of treatment status). Exception: Patients with adequately treated past TB (confirmed by standard anti-TB therapy) may be enrolled if \>1 year since completion of treatment.
5. Active Autoimmune Diseases:Known or suspected autoimmune disorders (e.g., uveitis, colitis, hepatitis, hypophysitis, nephritis, vasculitis, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or asthma requiring bronchodilators).
Exceptions:
Type 1 diabetes mellitus Hypothyroidism managed with hormone replacement Skin conditions not requiring systemic therapy (e.g., vitiligo, psoriasis, alopecia).
6. Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD):
History of ILD or pneumonitis requiring oral/IV steroids within the past year.
7. Immunosuppressive Therapy:
Chronic systemic corticosteroids (≥10 mg prednisone equivalent/day) or other immunosuppressants within 4 weeks prior to enrollment. Inhaled/topical steroids are permitted.
8. Uncontrolled Cardiac Disease: Heart failure (NYHA class ≥2), Unstable angina, Myocardial infarction within the past year, Clinically significant arrhythmias requiring treatment.
9. Pregnancy/Lactation: Pregnant or breastfeeding women (urine/blood pregnancy test required for women of childbearing potential).
10. Concurrent Malignancies:
History of other malignancies except:
Adequately treated non-melanoma skin cancer, Carcinoma in situ of the cervix, Papillary thyroid carcinoma.
11. Hypersensitivity: Known allergy to any component of the study drugs or excipients.
12. Active Infections:
Systemic infections requiring treatment within 1 week prior to enrollment.
Live Vaccines:
13. Administration of live vaccines within 30 days before the first immunotherapy dose.
14. Organ Transplantation: History of allogeneic organ transplantation.
15. Other High-Risk Conditions:
Any condition that may compromise patient safety or compliance per investigator assessment (e.g., severe psychiatric disorders, life-threatening comorbidities, or social/familial risk factors).
Where it's running
-
Wuhan Union Hospital
Wuhan, Hubei, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Chao Wan
- Email: wanc@hust.edu.cn
- Phone: +86 18062775069
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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.