Mannatide plus paclitaxel, leucovorin and 5-Fluorouracil for treating advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Objective: To observe the effects and side effects of mannatide (Lifein) plus paclitaxel, leucovorin and 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) on advanced nesopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: Forty-one patients with advanced NPC were divided into two groups. Control group (n=20) received intravenous infusion of paclitaxel (150 mg/m2) for 3 hours and leucovorin (200 mg/m2) for 2 hours, followed by intravenous bolus of 5-Fu (375 mg/m2) for 10 minutes,and then 48 hour-infusion of 5-Fu (3.0 g/m2) with infusion pump. In addition to the same regimen, treatment group (n=21) also accepted intravenous infusion of mannatide (20 mg/d). The chemotherapy regimen was repeated every 3 weeks. All patients underwent two courses at least. Results: In treatment and control groups, the effective rates were 52.3% and 45.0%, the median survivals were 11.2 and 10.8 months, 1-year survival rates were 33.3% and 30.0%; and 3-year survival rates were 9.5% and 10.0%, respectively. There was no significant difference between two groups(P0.05).The rate of clinical benefit response in treatment group was superior to that in control group (80.9% vs 45.0%, P0.05). The common adverse effects were neutropenia, peripheral neuropathy, nausea, vomiting, arthralgia, myodynia and alopecia. Fever was more common in treatment group. Conclusion: Paclitaxel plus leucovorin and 5-Fu treatment is effective for advanced NPC, and the combination of mannatide can increase the clinical benefit response and improve the quality of life for the patients.