Proton Therapy Versus Photon Therapy for the Treatment of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Prospective, Open-Label, Multicenter, Phase III Non-Inferiority Clinical Trial
This study is a prospective, open-label, multicenter, cohort, phase III non-inferiority clinical trial comparing proton therapy with photon radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It intends to enroll histologically confirmed newly diagnosed nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients without distant metastasis (M0). Through a prospective 1:1 matched cohort study design, patients will be divided into the intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) group and the intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) group. Systemic treatment regimens are formulated according to clinical guidelines.
• Signed written informed consent prior to the implementation of any trial-related procedures; No gender restriction, age ≥18 years and ≤75 years; Histologically confirmed, according to the latest WHO classification, including keratinizing carcinoma, non-keratinizing differentiated carcinoma, and undifferentiated carcinoma; Investigator-assessed nasopharyngeal carcinoma (cT1-4N0-3M0, AJCC 9th Edition); No prior systemic anti-tumor therapy for locally advanced disease; ECOG performance status 0-1;
• Adequate organ function, subjects must meet the following laboratory parameters:
• Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1.5x10⁹/L. Platelets ≥75×10⁹/L. Hemoglobin ≥9 g/dL (90 g/L) or ≥5.6 mmol/L; Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤2.5×ULN (Upper Limit of Normal) Serum creatinine ≤1.5×ULN AND creatinine clearance (calculated using Cockcroft-Gault formula) ≥60 ml/min; Good coagulation function: simple laboratory abnormalities judged by the investigator to be without clinical significance; Myocardial enzyme spectrum: simple laboratory abnormalities judged by the investigator to be without clinical significance; (Note: The document lists this as criteria 8 under 3.2.1 in the main text, but the synopsis table formatting places it slightly differently though it appears to be the last point of item 7 in structure. For clarity, listing as a separate main point as per the detailed protocol structure.)