Advances in individualization of systemic treatment for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a systematic review

Background: The optimal treatment strategy (radiotherapy with induction, concurrent or adjuvant chemotherapy) for patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC) remains to be addressed. Identifying biomarkers related to precise prognostic risk stratification and treatment benefits gained have been explored in recent years. Methods: We carried out a systematic review of the published literature covering these topics. Of 3732 references screened, 26 articles were found eligible for inclusion. Results: Regarding the issue of treatment pathway in LA-NPC, induction chemotherapy is usually preferred over adjuvant chemotherapy. It is paramount to stress patient selection to identify those cases at high risk of relapse requiring systemic intensification. Concerning a role for Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA-based personalized therapy, EBV DNA and its kinetics in plasma potentially represents a robust prognostic marker after (chemo)radiotherapy, but it is necessary to standardize test and cut-off levels. Conclusions: This systematic review provides an overview of biomarker-guided systemic treatment designed to improve prognosis, including key aspects of current guidelines, biomolecular signature aspects and potential limitations between applicability to cancer treatment in endemic regions versus non-endemic regions.