Work

Effect and safety of immunotherapy among elder patients (age ≥ 65) with recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with chemotherapy constitutes the first-line treatment for recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (RM-NPC). However, elderly patients are underrepresented in the majority of related clinical trials. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included RM-NPC patients aged 65 years or older who received immunotherapy between January 2015 and February 2022. Cox regression models were utilized to compare the outcomes. Comorbidity assessments (ACE-27, CCI, and ACCI) were used for the geriatric evaluation. RESULTS: Among the 95 of 243 patients included in this analysis (71 men), the median follow-up time was 29.3 months. Patients receiving local therapy had longer progression-free survival (PFS) (HR 0.352; 95% CI: 0.145-0.853; p = .021). No significant differences in survival outcomes or toxicity profiles were observed between age groups or among the ICI agent groups. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that immunotherapy is efficacious and safe for treating RM-NPC in elderly patients. The combination of ICIs and local therapy significantly prolonged survival and could be an option for this vulnerable population.

Source: BMC Cancer

DOI: 10.1186/s12885-025-14108-w

Authors: Rui-Ling Xie, Wu-Lin Cai, Yan-Feng Ouyang, Ye-Hao Zou, Rui Sun

Institutions: Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China

Language: English

Topic: Head and Neck Cancer Studies

Subfield: Otorhinolaryngology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,390