A randomized pilot trial comparing Position Emission Tomography (PET)-guided dose escalation radiotherapy to conventional radiotherapy in chemoradiotherapy treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Background: This pilot trial is designed to determine whether PET/CT-guided radiotherapy dose escalation can improve local control while minimizing toxicity for the treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: 67 patients were randomized into the three treatment arms: conventional chemoradiotherapy (group A), CT-guided dose escalation chemoradiotherapy (group B) and PET/CT-guided dose escalation chemoradiotherapy (group C). Radiotherapy was delivered using the simultaneous modulated accelerated radiation therapy (SMART) technique in the dose-escalation treatment arms. Patients received concurrent and adjuvant chemotherapy. Results: The use of PET/CT significantly changed the treatment volume delineation of the gross tumor volume. 3-year local progression-free (LPF) survival rates of three groups were 83.3%, 90.9%and 100%, respectively. The 3-year regional progression-free survival (RPFS) rates were 95.8%, 95.5% and 100%, respectively. The 3-year disease free survival (DFS) rates were 79.2%, 86.4% and 95.2%, respectively. The 3-year overall survival (OS) rates were 83.3%, 90.9% and 95.2%, respectively. The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 79.2%, 86.4% and 95.2%, respectively. No patient had grade 4 late toxicity. Conclusions: PET/CT-guided dose escalation radiotherapy is well-tolerated and appears to be superior to conventional chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced NPC. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02089204.