NCT06846450

Brief Summary

The goal of this phase 3 non-inferiority trial is to compare the efficacy and toxicity of proton or photon radiation therapy plus carbon ion radiation therapy for newly diagnosed nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The main question it aims to answer is that if proton radiation therapy plus carbon ion radiation therapy is non-inferior to photon radiation therapy plus carbon ion radiation therapy in terms of therapeutic efficacy. Participants will be randomized to receive either proton radiation therapy (arm 1) or photon radiation therapy (arm 2), in addition to carbon ion radiation therapy (for both arms).

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
470

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for phase_3

Timeline
58mo left

Started Apr 2025

Longer than P75 for phase_3

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress19%
Apr 2025Jan 2031

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

February 17, 2025

Completed
9 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

February 26, 2025

Completed
1 month until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

April 1, 2025

Completed
5.8 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

January 31, 2031

Expected
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

January 31, 2031

Last Updated

December 2, 2025

Status Verified

February 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

5.8 years

First QC Date

February 17, 2025

Last Update Submit

November 24, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

ProtonPhotonCarbon ionPhase 3 TrialLocally Advanced NPC

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Progression-free survival

    Progression-free survival (PFS) defined as the time interval from randomization to death or disease progression whichever comes first.

    3 years

Secondary Outcomes (10)

  • Overall survival

    3 years

  • Locoregional progression-free survival

    3 years

  • Distant metastasis-free survival

    3 years

  • Prevalence of grade ≥2 acute toxicities

    3 years

  • Prevalence of grade ≥3 acute toxicities

    3 years

  • +5 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Arm 1

EXPERIMENTAL
Radiation: Intensity-modulated proton radiation therapyRadiation: Intensity-modulated carbon ion radiation therapyDrug: Concurrent chemotherapyDrug: Induction chemotherapy

Arm 2

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Radiation: Intensity-modulated photon radiation therapyRadiation: Intensity-modulated carbon ion radiation therapyDrug: Concurrent chemotherapyDrug: Induction chemotherapy

Interventions

Intensity-modulated proton therapy, will be delivered to the high risk area with a dose of 56 GyRBE in 28 fractions, and if applicable, to the low risk area with a dose of 50.4 GyRBE in 28 fractions.

Also known as: IMPT
Arm 1

Intensity-modulated photon therapy, will be delivered to the high risk area with a dose of 56 Gy in 28 fractions, and if applicable, to the low risk area with a dose of 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions.

Also known as: IMRT
Arm 2

Intensity-modulated carbon ion radiation therapy will be delivered as a boost with a dose of 17.5 GyRBE in 5 fractions to gross tumor.

Also known as: IMCT
Arm 1Arm 2

Concurrent chemotherapy will be administered on a weekly basis.

Arm 1Arm 2

Cisplatin-based induction chemotherapy will be administered every three weekly.

Arm 1Arm 2

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 70 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Willingness to sign the written informed consent.
  • Pathologically confirmed Nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
  • Patients with any stage of disease except distant metastasis.
  • Age: ≥ 18 and ≤ 70 years old.
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score: 0-1.
  • Adequate laboratory test results.
  • Willingness to accept adequate contraception.

You may not qualify if:

  • Presence of distant metastasis.
  • Previous radiotherapy to head and neck region.
  • Previous surgery (except for biopsy) for the primary lesion or cervical lymph nodes.
  • History of malignant tumor within the past 5 years.
  • Presence of multiple primary tumors.
  • Presence of diseases that may interfere with the evaluation of study endpoints.
  • Presence of severe major organ dysfunction.
  • Mental illness that may affect the understanding of informed consent.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 201321, China

RECRUITING

Related Publications (21)

  • Hu J, Huang Q, Gao J, Hu W, Yang J, Guan X, Qiu X, Zhang W, Kong L, Lu JJ. Mixed Photon and Carbon-Ion Beam Radiotherapy in the Management of Non-Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Front Oncol. 2021 Jul 23;11:653050. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.653050. eCollection 2021.

    PMID: 34367954BACKGROUND
  • Li X, Kitpanit S, Lee A, Mah D, Sine K, Sherman EJ, Dunn LA, Michel LS, Fetten J, Zakeri K, Yu Y, Chen L, Kang JJ, Gelblum DY, McBride SM, Tsai CJ, Riaz N, Lee NY. Toxicity Profiles and Survival Outcomes Among Patients With Nonmetastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treated With Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy vs Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Jun 1;4(6):e2113205. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.13205.

    PMID: 34143193BACKGROUND
  • Lewis GD, Holliday EB, Kocak-Uzel E, Hernandez M, Garden AS, Rosenthal DI, Frank SJ. Intensity-modulated proton therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Decreased radiation dose to normal structures and encouraging clinical outcomes. Head Neck. 2016 Apr;38 Suppl 1:E1886-95. doi: 10.1002/hed.24341. Epub 2015 Dec 26.

    PMID: 26705956BACKGROUND
  • Vai A, Molinelli S, Rossi E, Iacovelli NA, Magro G, Cavallo A, Pignoli E, Rancati T, Mirandola A, Russo S, Ingargiola R, Vischioni B, Bonora M, Ronchi S, Ciocca M, Orlandi E. Proton Radiation Therapy for Nasopharyngeal Cancer Patients: Dosimetric and NTCP Evaluation Supporting Clinical Decision. Cancers (Basel). 2022 Feb 22;14(5):1109. doi: 10.3390/cancers14051109.

    PMID: 35267415BACKGROUND
  • Minatogawa H, Yasuda K, Dekura Y, Takao S, Matsuura T, Yoshimura T, Suzuki R, Yokota I, Fujima N, Onimaru R, Shimizu S, Aoyama H, Shirato H. Potential benefits of adaptive intensity-modulated proton therapy in nasopharyngeal carcinomas. J Appl Clin Med Phys. 2021 Jan;22(1):174-183. doi: 10.1002/acm2.13128. Epub 2020 Dec 18.

    PMID: 33338323BACKGROUND
  • Lin YH, Cheng JY, Huang BS, Luo SD, Lin WC, Chou SY, Juang PJ, Li SH, Huang EY, Wang YM. Significant Reduction in Vertebral Artery Dose by Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy: A Pilot Study for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. J Pers Med. 2021 Aug 22;11(8):822. doi: 10.3390/jpm11080822.

    PMID: 34442466BACKGROUND
  • Taheri-Kadkhoda Z, Bjork-Eriksson T, Nill S, Wilkens JJ, Oelfke U, Johansson KA, Huber PE, Munter MW. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a comparative treatment planning study of photons and protons. Radiat Oncol. 2008 Jan 24;3:4. doi: 10.1186/1748-717X-3-4.

    PMID: 18218078BACKGROUND
  • Widesott L, Pierelli A, Fiorino C, Dell'oca I, Broggi S, Cattaneo GM, Di Muzio N, Fazio F, Calandrino R, Schwarz M. Intensity-modulated proton therapy versus helical tomotherapy in nasopharynx cancer: planning comparison and NTCP evaluation. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2008 Oct 1;72(2):589-96. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2008.05.065.

    PMID: 18793962BACKGROUND
  • Durante M, Loeffler JS. Charged particles in radiation oncology. Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2010 Jan;7(1):37-43. doi: 10.1038/nrclinonc.2009.183. Epub 2009 Dec 1.

    PMID: 19949433BACKGROUND
  • Moiseenko V, Wu J, Hovan A, Saleh Z, Apte A, Deasy JO, Harrow S, Rabuka C, Muggli A, Thompson A. Treatment planning constraints to avoid xerostomia in head-and-neck radiotherapy: an independent test of QUANTEC criteria using a prospectively collected dataset. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2012 Mar 1;82(3):1108-14. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2011.04.020. Epub 2011 Jun 2.

    PMID: 21640505BACKGROUND
  • Beetz I, Schilstra C, van der Schaaf A, van den Heuvel ER, Doornaert P, van Luijk P, Vissink A, van der Laan BF, Leemans CR, Bijl HP, Christianen ME, Steenbakkers RJ, Langendijk JA. NTCP models for patient-rated xerostomia and sticky saliva after treatment with intensity modulated radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: the role of dosimetric and clinical factors. Radiother Oncol. 2012 Oct;105(1):101-6. doi: 10.1016/j.radonc.2012.03.004. Epub 2012 Apr 18.

    PMID: 22516776BACKGROUND
  • Zhou X, Ou X, Xu T, Wang X, Shen C, Ding J, Hu C. Effect of dosimetric factors on occurrence and volume of temporal lobe necrosis following intensity modulated radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a case-control study. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2014 Oct 1;90(2):261-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2014.05.036. Epub 2014 Jul 24.

    PMID: 25066214BACKGROUND
  • Chan SH, Ng WT, Kam KL, Lee MC, Choi CW, Yau TK, Lee AW, Chow SK. Sensorineural hearing loss after treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a longitudinal analysis. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2009 Apr 1;73(5):1335-42. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2008.07.034. Epub 2008 Oct 14.

    PMID: 18922648BACKGROUND
  • Wu LR, Liu YT, Jiang N, Fan YX, Wen J, Huang SF, Guo WJ, Bian XH, Wang FJ, Li F, Song D, Wu JF, Jiang XS, Liu JY, He X. Ten-year survival outcomes for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma receiving intensity-modulated radiotherapy: An analysis of 614 patients from a single center. Oral Oncol. 2017 Jun;69:26-32. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2017.03.015. Epub 2017 Apr 7.

    PMID: 28559017BACKGROUND
  • Zheng Y, Han F, Xiao W, Xiang Y, Lu L, Deng X, Cui N, Zhao C. Analysis of late toxicity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy. Radiat Oncol. 2015 Jan 13;10:17. doi: 10.1186/s13014-014-0326-z.

    PMID: 25582731BACKGROUND
  • Tang LL, Guo R, Zhang N, Deng B, Chen L, Cheng ZB, Huang J, Hu WH, Huang SH, Luo WJ, Liang JH, Zheng YM, Zhang F, Mao YP, Li WF, Zhou GQ, Liu X, Chen YP, Xu C, Lin L, Liu Q, Du XJ, Zhang Y, Sun Y, Ma J. Effect of Radiotherapy Alone vs Radiotherapy With Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy on Survival Without Disease Relapse in Patients With Low-risk Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2022 Aug 23;328(8):728-736. doi: 10.1001/jama.2022.13997.

    PMID: 35997729BACKGROUND
  • Lv X, Cao X, Xia WX, Liu KY, Qiang MY, Guo L, Qian CN, Cao KJ, Mo HY, Li XM, Li ZH, Han F, He YX, Liu YM, Wu SX, Bai YR, Ke LR, Qiu WZ, Liang H, Liu GY, Miao JJ, Li WZ, Lv SH, Chen X, Zhao C, Xiang YQ, Guo X. Induction chemotherapy with lobaplatin and fluorouracil versus cisplatin and fluorouracil followed by chemoradiotherapy in patients with stage III-IVB nasopharyngeal carcinoma: an open-label, non-inferiority, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2021 May;22(5):716-726. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(21)00075-9. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

    PMID: 33857411BACKGROUND
  • Zhang Y, Chen L, Hu GQ, Zhang N, Zhu XD, Yang KY, Jin F, Shi M, Chen YP, Hu WH, Cheng ZB, Wang SY, Tian Y, Wang XC, Sun Y, Li JG, Li WF, Li YH, Tang LL, Mao YP, Zhou GQ, Sun R, Liu X, Guo R, Long GX, Liang SQ, Li L, Huang J, Long JH, Zang J, Liu QD, Zou L, Su QF, Zheng BM, Xiao Y, Guo Y, Han F, Mo HY, Lv JW, Du XJ, Xu C, Liu N, Li YQ, Chua MLK, Xie FY, Sun Y, Ma J. Gemcitabine and Cisplatin Induction Chemotherapy in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. N Engl J Med. 2019 Sep 19;381(12):1124-1135. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1905287. Epub 2019 May 31.

    PMID: 31150573BACKGROUND
  • Kong L, Zhang Y, Hu C, Guo Y, Lu JJ. Effects of induction docetaxel, platinum, and fluorouracil chemotherapy in patients with stage III or IVA/B nasopharyngeal cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiation therapy: Final results of 2 parallel phase 2 clinical trials. Cancer. 2017 Jun 15;123(12):2258-2267. doi: 10.1002/cncr.30566. Epub 2017 Feb 13.

    PMID: 28192641BACKGROUND
  • Tang LQ, Chen DP, Guo L, Mo HY, Huang Y, Guo SS, Qi B, Tang QN, Wang P, Li XY, Li JB, Liu Q, Gao YH, Xie FY, Liu LT, Li Y, Liu SL, Xie HJ, Liang YJ, Sun XS, Yan JJ, Wu YS, Luo DH, Huang PY, Xiang YQ, Sun R, Chen MY, Lv X, Wang L, Xia WX, Zhao C, Cao KJ, Qian CN, Guo X, Hong MH, Nie ZQ, Chen QY, Mai HQ. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with nedaplatin versus cisplatin in stage II-IVB nasopharyngeal carcinoma: an open-label, non-inferiority, randomised phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2018 Apr;19(4):461-473. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(18)30104-9. Epub 2018 Feb 28.

    PMID: 29501366BACKGROUND
  • Sun Y, Li WF, Chen NY, Zhang N, Hu GQ, Xie FY, Sun Y, Chen XZ, Li JG, Zhu XD, Hu CS, Xu XY, Chen YY, Hu WH, Guo L, Mo HY, Chen L, Mao YP, Sun R, Ai P, Liang SB, Long GX, Zheng BM, Feng XL, Gong XC, Li L, Shen CY, Xu JY, Guo Y, Chen YM, Zhang F, Lin L, Tang LL, Liu MZ, Ma J. Induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy versus concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a phase 3, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Oncol. 2016 Nov;17(11):1509-1520. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(16)30410-7. Epub 2016 Sep 27.

    PMID: 27686945BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Induction Chemotherapy

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Drug TherapyTherapeuticsRemission Induction

Central Study Contacts

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 3
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: This study adopts a web-based central randomization system. The randomization method uses minimization, with two balancing factors: Stage (AJCC Staging System, 9th edition): Stage I vs. Stages II/III; Response to induction chemotherapy: No induction chemotherapy vs. sensitive (CR + PR) vs. resistant (SD + PD). Eligible patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio into either the experimental group or the control group. This is an open-label study, meaning both patients and investigators are aware of the treatment allocation.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Chief physician

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

February 17, 2025

First Posted

February 26, 2025

Study Start

April 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

January 31, 2031

Study Completion (Estimated)

January 31, 2031

Last Updated

December 2, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-02

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

Anonymized individual participant-level data will be shared, including detailed baseline characteristics, treatment information, and follow-up data on efficacy and toxicity profile.

Shared Documents
STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP
Time Frame
Anonymized IPD will be shared within 3 years after publication of the primary, secondary and safety results of the study.
Access Criteria
Data may be shared with qualified researchers who are interested in examining the efficacy and toxicity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with particle beam radiotherapy. Pooled analysis comparing IMRT and particle beam radiotherapy will be of particular interest. Detailed study protocol should be emailed along with the request of the data. We may carefully review the study protocol, and data will only be shared with well-designed studies.

Locations