A comparison of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine versus docetaxel plus cisplatin in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a propensity score matching analysis

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with gemcitabine (GEM) vs docetaxel plus cisplatin (CDDP) in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: A total of 222 patients with locoregionally advanced NPC between February 2012 and May 2014 in our hospital who received NACT with GEM or docetaxel plus CDDP combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) were retrospectively analyzed. Fifty-two patients treated with GEM plus CDDP (GP) combined with CCRT were matched with 52 patients who received docetaxel plus CDDP (TP) combined with CCRT. RESULTS: With a median follow-up time of 60 months (range, 14–72 months), the 5-year overall survival, progression-free survival (PFS), local relapse-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates were 78.8%, 66.0%, 81.0% and 75.9%, respectively, in the GP group and 79.4%, 60.5%, 79.6% and 73.6%, respectively, in the TP group. No statistically significant survival differences were found between the two groups. In multivariate analysis, T3–4 and N2–3 were prognostic factors for poor 5-year PFS and DMFS (all P-values <0.05). Patients in the TP group experienced less grade 3–4 thrombocytopenia but more grade 3–4 leucopenia and neutropenia than those in the GP group (all P-values <0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in other toxicities (all P-values >0.05). CONCLUSION: NACT with GP or TP regimen achieved comparable clinical outcome with acceptable toxicities. Both regimens might be a treatment option for patients with locoregionally advanced NPC.