Comparison of weekly and triweekly cisplatin regimens during concurrent chemoradiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract Background We compared the survival outcomes and acute toxicities of weekly and triweekly cisplatin regimens during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Methods Patients were treated with CCRT alone. CCRT was initiated on the first day of RT. Cisplatin 30–40 mg/m2 was infused on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36 and 43 in the Weekly Group, while cisplatin 80–100 mg/m2 was delivered on days 1, 22 and 43 in the Triweekly Group. The survival outcomes were revealed by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression modelling to measure 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), locoregional relapse-free survival (LRFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). Results Ninety-three (28.9%) patients received three to 7 cycles of cisplatin weekly (Weekly Group) and 229 (71.1%) patients received two to 3 cycles of cisplatin triweekly (Triweekly Group). Five-year OS (weekly vs. triweekly, 96.7% vs. 88.3%, P = 0.036) and DFS (weekly vs. triweekly, 90.7% vs. 80.5%, P = 0.028) were better in the Weekly Group than in the Triweekly Group. The weekly vs. triweekly 5-year DMFS and LRFS rates were: DMFS, 96.7% vs. 91.4%, χ2 = 2.694, P = 0.101; LRFS, 96.3% vs. 93.5%, χ2 = 1.317, P = 0.251. Cisplatin delivery regimen was not an independent prognostic factor. The incidence rate of acute toxicities was similar between the groups. Conclusions Compared with Triweekly cisplatin regimen, Weekly regimen may be a better choice during CCRT.