Apatinib monotherapy for advanced VEGFR-2-negative nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A case report

RATIONALE: Due to the anatomical and biological characteristics of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), radiotherapy is the standard treatment of choice. Recent advances in small molecule therapies targeting tumor angiogenesis also hold promise for the treatment of advanced NPC. PATIENT CONCERNS: The patient's symptoms, including nasal obstruction, nasal bleeding, and headache, reappeared periodically and eventually became so severe that the patient's vision became impaired. In January 2016, the patient presented with blurred vision, diplopia, language impairment, left temporal paralysis, and bilateral eyelid ptosis. DIAGNOSIS: Advanced NPC without metastasis in a 55-year-old man. INTERVENTIONS: The patient refused treatment with radiotherapy or chemotherapy and was treated with Chinese herbal medicines. Following a worsening of symptoms, the patient was subsequently treated with apatinib monotherapy (0.25 g, once daily). OUTCOMES: Symptom improvement, including decreased nasal bleeding and headache, was observed after 1 week of apatinib treatment. After 100 days of treatment, the patient was nearly asymptomatic with stable disease and improved quality of life. LESSONS: For patients with advanced NPC who refuse standard radiotherapy and chemotherapy, apatinib monotherapy may be a suitable treatment option to improve symptoms and quality of life even in those with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-negative tumors.