Abstract:

 Objective   To evaluate the radio-sensitization effect and side effect of  paclitaxel (PTX) versus sodium glycididazole (CMNa) in local advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods   82 patients were randomly divided into the PTX group (n=42) and the CMNa group (n=40). The PTX group was received 60 mg/m2 of  PTX via intravenous infusion, every 10 days for 5 times in the radiotherapy duration. The CMNa group received injections of CMNa at a dose of 0.75-1.0g before the radiotherapy  3 times per week for 7 weeks. All patients received conventional fractionation radiotherapy. Results   There was no significant difference in complete tumor remission between the two groups at the end of the therapy and 3 months after  radiotherapy. The median follow-up times was 20 months. The metastasis rate in the PTX group (28.6%) was significantly lower than in the CMNa group (50.0%) (P<0.05). The regional recurrence rate was lower in the PTX group than in the CMNa group, but there was no significant difference(P>0.05). Oral cavity mucositis in grades 2 and 3 and leukopenia in the PTX group were more frequent than in the CMNa group (P<0.01). Conclusion   Small dose paclitaxel was similar to  CMNa in radio-sensitization efficiency for local advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and paclitaxel plus radiotherapy could reduce metastasis, but increase some acute toxicities, especially in oral cavity mucositis and leukopenia.

Key words: Nasopharyngeal neoplasms; Radiotherapy; Paclitaxel; Sodium glycididazole; Radiosensitivity