Comparison of therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil (TPF)-based induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy alone in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

PURPOSE: In recent years, docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil (TPF)-based induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) has been commonly applied for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC). However, whether TPF+CCRT regimen is the best choice for LA-NPC remains unclear. This meta-analysis aims to elucidate and compare the efficacy and toxicity of TPF+CCRT versus CCRT alone for LA-NPC. METHODS: Two investigators independently and systematically searched relevant studies available on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science published before January 7, 2021. Data were extracted from eligible studies for assessing their qualities, and calculating pooled hazard ratios (HR), odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using Review Manager software 5.3 (RevMan 5.3). RESULTS: Five studies involving 759 LA-NPC patients were analyzed in the meta-analysis. Compared to CCRT alone, TPF-based IC plus CCRT significantly improved overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.35–0.81, P = .003), progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.46–0.86, P = .004), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (HR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.39–0.86, P = .008), and locoregional failure-free survival (LRFFS) (HR 0.62, 95% CI: 0.43–0.90, P = .01). In addition, TPF-based IC plus CCRT mainly increased risks of grade 3/4 acute hematological toxicity and non-hematological toxicities like leukopenia (OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 0.42–8.03, P = .42), neutropenia (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 0.23–13.82, P = .58), thrombocytopenia (OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 0.53–5.81, P = .35), febrile neutropenia (OR = 2.76, 95% CI: 0.07–101.89, P = .58), vomiting (OR = 18.94, 95% CI: 0.99–362.02, P = .05) and dry mouth (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 0.22–22.57, P = .50), which were uncomplicated and manageable. CONCLUSIONS: TPF + CCRT is superb than CCRT alone for the management of LA-NPC. However, TPF+CCRT increases the incidences of grade 3/4 acute hematological toxicity and some non-hematological toxicities.