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Global Longitudinal Assessment of Treatment Outcomes in Recurrent/Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: GLANCE-NPC Study


GLANCE-NPC study Nasopharyngeal carcinoma FON

Future Oncology recently published the Global Longitudinal Assessment of Treatment Outcomes in Recurrent/Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (GLANCE-NPC) chart review study designed to investigate real-world treatment patterns and overall survival outcomes among patients with recurrent and/or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (R/M NPC) in Taiwan and South Korea. This retrospective observational study was conducted at 12 sites in Taiwan and South Korea with a total of 154 patients enrolled in the study, including 104 patients from eight sites in Taiwan and 50 patients from four sites in South Korea. The authors found that differences in the location of metastases led to variation in treatment approaches across Taiwan and South Korea. Patients with distant metastatic disease in both countries mainly received systemic therapy only, whereas patients with metastases only in distant lymph nodes (DLN) in South Korea primarily received systemic therapy and radiation. Survival in patients with R/M NPC with distant metastases was poor, underscoring the need for more efficacious treatments.

Abstract

Aim: Given a lack of standard of care treatment for R/M NPC, we assessed treatment patterns and overall survival in the real-world setting.

Patients & Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted in patients who initiated first-line systemic therapy in Taiwan and South Korea between January 2012–June 2013 with follow-up through December 2015.

Results: Among 154 R/M NPC patients, all patients in Taiwan (n=104) had distant metastases, whereas in South Korea (n=50) 42% had distant metastases. Patients with distant metastases generally received systemic therapy only (71%) for whom median overall survival was 23 months (95% confidence interval: 18-32).

Conclusion: Prognosis in R/M NPC with distant metastases remains poor, underscoring the need for more efficacious treatments.

Lay Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is an invasive cancer affecting the area behind the nose and above the back of throat. When this cancer returns or spreads to another part of the body, patients receive chemotherapy options with the goal of prolonging survival. To understand chemotherapy approaches used in everyday practice and their effectiveness, we conducted a review of medical records in Taiwan and South Korea. We studied 154 patients who started a first chemotherapy between January 2012–June 2013 and followed patients through December 2015. Patients whose cancer spread in another part of their body generally received chemotherapy without radiation and lived 23 months on average. Our findings show that more effective treatments must be developed to help prolong survival.

Read the full article: 

GLANCE-NPC metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

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