ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of dose-dense chemotherapy with cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil( PF regimen)in distant metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma( NPC)patients. Methods From April 1,2008 to April 30,2014,168 patients were assigned to traditional group(n = 83) and dose-dense group(n = 85)using digital random table in 1 : 1 ratio. All patients received PF regimen,and once every 28 days in traditional group and once every 14 days in dose-dense group. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival(PFS)and the secondary endpoint was overall survival(OS),toxicity and response rate. Results The median PFS,median OS,1,2,3-year survival rate,complete response rate and objective response rate were significantly improved in dose-dense group which were 13. 3 months,20. 2 months,80. 2% , 36. 0% ,16. 1% ,16. 5% ,84. 7% ,and those in control group were 10. 0 months,16. 1 months,59. 6% , 10. 1% ,0,3. 6% ,54. 2% respectively(χ2 = 24. 47,P = 0. 000;χ2 = 16. 65,P = 0. 000;χ2 = 8. 41,P =0. 004;χ2 = 16. 96,P = 0. 000;χ2 = 14. 91,P = 0. 000;χ2 = 7. 63,P = 0. 006;χ2 = 18. 47,P = 0. 000). The rates of grade 3-4 adverse events in dose-dense and traditional group were 38. 8% and 6. 0%(χ2 = 25. 81, P = 0. 000). Conclusion Dose-dense chemotherapy of PF is more efficient and acceptable toxic than the tra-ditional one. It can be a new treatment option for patients with distant metastases of NPC.