Additional PD-1 inhibitor improves complete response to induction chemotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

PurposeTo investigate the treatment response and toxicity of the combination of induction chemotherapy (IC) and PD-1 inhibitor in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC).MethodsPatients with stage III–IVA NPC who received IC or IC + PD-1 inhibitor were included. The chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.ResultsA total of 225 patients were identified, including 193 (85.8%) and 32 (14.2%) who received IC alone and IC + PD-1 inhibitor, respectively. The addition of PD-1 inhibitor to IC significantly improved the tumor response than those treated with IC alone. The complete response (CR), partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease rates of 4.7% vs. 31.3%, 69.4% vs. 62.5%, 24.9% vs. 6.3%, and 1.0% vs. 0% in patients receiving IC alone and IC + PD-1 inhibitor, respectively (P