Radiotherapy is a key treatment option for colorectal cancer, but its efficacy varies among patients. Our previous studies suggested that adipose tissue may confer the radioresistance of several abdominal tumors, such as pancreatic cancer, biliary cancer, and others. In the present work, the effects of adipocytes in regulating the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer are explored for the first time. It was found that colony formation was increased and radiation-induced apoptosis decreased in colorectal cancer cells HCT8 and HCT116 co-cultured with adipocytes, which verified the mediation of adipocyte-driven radioresistance in colorectal cancer in vitro. Next, the colorectal cancer cells were incubated with adipocyte-derived exosomes, and a perceptible reduction in radiosensitivity was detected. Furthermore, to investigate the possible mechanisms involved, the exosomes were isolated, the encapsulated microRNAs were extracted and analyzed by small RNA sequencing. Based on bioinformatics analysis and qRT-PCR verification, miR-199b-5p was chosen for functional annotation. It was shown that miR-199b-5p expression was significantly upregulated after 6 Gy irradiation, and overexpressed miR-199b-5p significantly suppressed the radiosensitivity of HCT8 and HCT116 cells. In addition, jagged canonical Notch ligand 1(JAG1) was identified as the target gene of miR-199b-5p by using bioinformatics prediction and dual luciferase reporter gene assay. It was demonstrated that JAG1 conferred the radioresistance of colorectal cancer cells both in vivo and in vitro. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that adipocytes trigger the radioresistance of colorectal cancer cells, probably by targeting JAG1 through an adipocyte-derived exosomal miR-199b-5p.
PURPOSE:To evaluate the availability, cost, affordability of anti-cancer medicines in Nanjing, Jiangsu. METHODS:A longitudinal tracking investigation study was performed to collect information about 24 essential anti-cancer medicines (EAMs) and 17 innovative anti-cancer medicines (IAMs) in 26 healthcare institutions in Nanjing from 2016 to 2020. The availability, cost, drug utilization and affordability of EAMs and IAMs were investigated. RESULTS:The availability of EAMs showed no significant changes in Nanjing, but the availability of IAMs showed a significant increase in 2018 and 2019 and tended to stabilize in 2020. For EAMs, the DDDc(Defined Daily Dose cost) of LPGs (Lowest-Priced Generics) showed no significant changes, and the DDDc of OBs (Originator Brands) and IAMs significantly decreased. The DDDs(Defined Daily Doses) of EAMs (LPGs) showed a decreasing trend since 2016 and rose again in 2019. Overall, the DDDs of EAMs (LPGs) decreased by 25.18% between 2016 and 2020, but the proportion selected for clinical treatment remained at 67.35% in 2020. The DDDs of EAMs (OBs) and IAMs both showed an increasing trend year by year, with a proportional increase of 207.72% and 652.68%, respectively; but the proportion selected for clinical treatment was only 16.09% and 16.56% respectively in 2020. EAMs (LPGs) had good affordability for urban residents but poor affordability for rural residents; the affordability of EAMs (OBs) and IAMs was poor for both urban and rural residents. CONCLUSIONS:There were no significant changes in the availability and cost of EAMs (LPGs), whose lower prices showed better affordability. Although their relative change in drug utilization showed a decreasing trend, they still dominated clinical treatment. Driven by the national drug price negotiation (NDPN) policy, the availability of IAMs was on the rise. It is necessary to further develop and strengthen policies for essential medicines procurement assessment to improve the accessibility of EAMs.
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is currently the third most common malignant tumor and the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) is standard for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Except for pathological examination after resection, it is not known exactly whether LARC patients have achieved pathological complete response (pCR) before surgery. To date, there are no clear clinical indicators that can predict the efficacy of nCRT and patient outcomes. AIM To investigate the indicators that can predict pCR and long-term outcomes following nCRT in patients with LARC. METHODS Clinical data of 128 LARC patients admitted to our hospital between September 2013 and November 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were categorized into pCR and non-pCR groups. Univariate analysis (using the χ 2 test or Fisher’s exact test) and logistic multivariate regression analysis were used to study clinical predictors affecting pCR. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis, and differences in survival curves were assessed with the log-rank test. RESULTS Univariate analysis showed that pretreatment carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), time interval between neoadjuvant therapy completion and total mesorectal excision, and tumor size were correlated with pCR. Multivariate results showed that CEA ≤ 5 ng/mL (P = 0.039), LMR > 2.73 (P = 0.023), and time interval > 10 wk (P = 0.039) were independent predictors for pCR. Survival analysis demonstrated that patients in the pCR group had significantly higher 5-year DFS rates (94.7% vs 59.7%, P = 0.002) and 5-year OS rates (95.8% vs 80.1%, P = 0.019) compared to the non-pCR group. Tumor deposits (TDs) were significantly correlated with shorter DFS (P = 0.002) and OS (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Pretreatment CEA, LMR, and time interval contribute to predicting nCRT efficacy in LARC patients. Achieving pCR demonstrates longer DFS and OS. TDs correlate with poor prognosis.
Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a prevalent cancer with a poor survival rate due to anatomical limitations of the head and a lack of reliable biomarkers. Cuproptosis represents a novel cellular regulated death pathway, and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common internal RNA modification in mRNA. They are intricately connected to tumor formation, progression, and prognosis. This study aimed to construct a risk model for HNSCC using a set of mRNAs associated with m6A regulators and cuproptosis genes (mcrmRNA).Methods RNA-seq and clinical data of HNSCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were analyzed to develop a risk model through the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis. Survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were performed for the high- and low-risk groups. Additionally, the model was validated using the GSE41613 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. GSEA and CIBERSORT were applied to investigate the immune microenvironment of HNSCC.Results A risk model consisting of 32 mcrmRNA was developed using the LASSO analysis. The risk score of patients was confirmed to be an independent prognostic indicator by multivariate Cox analysis. The high-risk group exhibited a higher tumor mutation burden. Additionally, CIBERSORT analysis indicated varying levels of immune cell infiltration between the two groups. Significant disparities in drug sensitivity to common medications were also observed. Enrichment analysis further unveiled significant differences in metabolic pathways and RNA processing between the two groups.Conclusions Our risk model can predict outcomes for HNSCC patients and offers valuable insights for personalized therapeutic approaches.
Cancer therapy resistance is the main cause of cancer treatment failure. The mechanism of therapy resistance is a hot topic in epigenetics. As one of the most common RNA modifications, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is involved in various processes of RNA metabolism, such as stability, splicing, transcription, translation, and degradation. A large number of studies have shown that m6A RNA methylation regulates the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells, but the role of m6A in cancer therapy resistance is unclear. In this review, we summarized the research progress related to the role of m6A in regulating therapy resistance in cancers.
The biological roles of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the pathogenesis of radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) have been widely demonstrated, but the mechanisms involved have been incompletely elucidated. N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) modification, the most abundant reversible methylation modification in eukaryotic mRNAs, plays vital roles in multiple biological processes. Whether and how m6 A modification participates in ionizing radiation (IR)-induced EMT and RILI remain unclear. Here, significantly increased m6 A levels upon IR-induced EMT are detected both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, upregulated methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) expression and downregulated α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) expression are detected. In addition, blocking METTL3-mediated m6 A modification suppresses IR-induced EMT both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) is identified as a key target of METTL3 by a methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) assay. FOXO1 expression is downregulated by METTL3-mediated mRNA m6 A modification in a YTH-domain family 2 (YTHDF2)-dependent manner, which subsequently activates the AKT and ERK signaling pathways. Overall, the present study shows that IR-responsive METTL3 is involved in IR-induced EMT, probably by activating the AKT and ERK signaling pathways via YTHDF2-dependent FOXO1 m6 A modification, which may be a novel mechanism involved in the occurrence and development of RILI.
BACKGROUNDCervical cancer is one of the most common gynecological malignant tumors. Radiation enteritis (RE) leads to radiotherapy intolerance or termination of radiotherapy, which negatively impacts the therapeutic effect and seriously affects the quality of life of patients. If the incidence of RE in patients can be predicted in advance, and targeted clinical preventive treatment can be carried out, the side effects of radiotherapy in cervical cancer patients can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, accurate prediction of RE is essential for the selection of individualized radiation dose and the optimization of the radiotherapy plan.AIMTo analyze the relationships between severe acute RE (SARE) of cervical cancer radiotherapy and clinical factors and dose-volume parameters retrospectively.METHODSWe included 50 cervical cancer patients who received volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) from September 2017 to June 2018 in the Department of Radiotherapy at The First Affiliated Hospital Soochow University. Clinical and dose-volume histogram factors of patients were collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of each factor for SARE. A nomogram to predict SARE was developed (SARE scoring system >= 3 points) based on the multiple regression coefficients; validity was verified by an internal verification method.RESULTSGastrointestinal and hematological toxicity of cervical cancer VMAT gradually increased with radiotherapy and reached the peak at the end of radiotherapy. The main adverse reactions were diarrhea, abdominal pain, colitis, anal swelling, and blood in the stool. There was no significant difference in the incidence of gastrointestinal toxicity between the radical and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy groups (P > 0.05). There were significant differences in the small intestine V-20, V-30, V-40, and rectal V-40 between adjuvant radiotherapy and radical radiotherapy after surgery (P < 0.05). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed anal bulge rating (OR: 14.779, 95%CI: 1.281-170.547, P = 0.031) and disease activity index (DAI) score (OR: 53.928, 95%CI: 3.822-760.948, P = 0.003) as independent predictors of SARE.CONCLUSIONAnal bulge rating (> 0.500 grade) and DAI score (> 2.165 points) can predict SARE. The nomogram shows potential value in clinical practice.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is insidious at onset, prone to lymph node metastasis, and has a high rate of locally advanced disease at initial diagnosis. Radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy is the main treatment for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but local recurrence and distant metastasis often lead to treatment failure, of which radioresistance caused by radiotherapy may be one of the reasons. Targeted therapy can selectively inhibit tumor proliferation and metastasis, and patients can achieve long-term survival benefits with low toxic and side effects. Targeted therapy involves a variety of tumor mechanisms, in which combination with radiotherapy may improve radioresistance and the efficacy of radiotherapy. In this review, the advantages and research progress of targeted therapy combined with radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma were discussed.
ObjectiveThis study investigated the curative effect of adding nimotuzumab (NTZ) in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and explored significant prognostic factors of NPC.Materials and methodsThe clinical data of 307 patients with NPC treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2013 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into the NTZ-CCRT group and the CCRT group according to whether they were associated with NTZ. We applied propensity score matching to reduce the interference of biases and compared the short-term efficacy and long-term survival rate of the two groups. Moreover, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for all patients, and subgroup analysis was used to compare the efficacy of therapy combined with NTZ in different subgroups.ResultsIn primary nasopharyngeal tumors, the objective response rates in the NTZ-CCRT group and CCRT group were 95.8% and 85.7%, respectively (P =0.007). In cervical positive lymph nodes, the objective response rates in the NTZ-CCRT group and CCRT group were 98.3% and 87.4%, respectively (P =0.001). Compared with CCRT alone, the addition of NTZ significantly improved the 5-year OS (94.1% vs. 81.8%, P=0.014) and the 5-year DFS (84.2% vs. 75.5%, P=0.031) of NPC patients; however, the addition of NTZ was accompanied by more severe hematologic toxicity and acute oral mucositis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the addition of NTZ was an important prognostic factor for OS and DFS (HR 0.367, 95% CI 0.167-0.808, P=0.013 for OS and HR 0.536, 95% CI 0.312-0.919, P=0.023 for DFS) and the level of pretreatment LDH (HR 5.170, 95% CI 2.125-12.580, P<0.001 for OS and HR 2.421, 95% CI 1.027-5.707, P=0.043 for DFS). Moreover, patients with high levels of hsCRP before treatment (HR 0.389, 95% CI 0.177-0.853, P=0.018) may gain more benefits from combined treatment with NTZ.ConclusionsFor locally advanced NPC patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy, the addition of NTZ can significantly improve their survival outcome. However, it is necessary to guard against the associated increase in hematological toxicity and acute oral mucositis.
Objective:To explore the value of Endostar in the clinical application of locally advanced cervical cancer.Methods:A total of 107 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer who received concurrent chemo-radiotherapy(CCRT)in the Department of Radiotherapy,the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital between January 2018 and December 2020 were enrolled in this retrospective study.There were 30 cases in the Endostar combined with CCRT(E-CCRT)group and 77 in the CCRT group.Propensity score matching(PSM)was used to reduce confounding factors.The short-term efficacy and long-term survival rate were compared between the E-CCRT group and the CCRT group.Results:After matching,the objective response rates in the E-CCRT group and CCRT group were 86.7%and 63.3%,respectively,with statistically significant difference(x2=4.356,P=0.037).But there were no statistically significant differences in the disease control rates(96.7%vs.86.7%,x2=0.873,P=0.350),3-year overall survival(OS)rates(86.7%vs.83.3%,P=0.681),and 3-year disease-free survival(DFS)rates(both 76.7%and 76.7%,P=0.869).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups.Conclusions:E-CCRT can improve the response of locally advanced cervical cancer patients without increasing the occurrence of adverse reactions,and has the potential to become a new treatment regimen for cervical cancer.
Herein, we report a molecular iodine-catalysed reductive alkylation of indoles with carbonyl compounds using Et3SiH for the efficient synthesis of C3-alkylated indoles. This metal-free and environmental-friendly process exhibits excellent functional group tolerance, mild conditions, and wide substrate scope. Notably, the synthetic usefulness of this strategy to pharmacochemistry was highlighted by the late-stage modification of drug-like molecules.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been reported to suppress the tumor growth and improve prognosis and has been used to cooperate with many other chemotherapy medicines. Up to now, surveys focused on the Interaction between DHA and radiation are relatively modest. Our study sought to evaluate the radiosensitivity changes caused by DHA on esophageal cancer cells. We selected TE-1 and TE-10 esophagus cancer cells as models and performed routine cell proliferation assay and cloning assay to detect the impact of DHA combined with X-ray. We used cell cycle assay, lipid peroxidation assay, comet assay, and apoptosis assay to unearth the potential causes. We also launched a mouse transplanted tumor experiment to verify the synergetic effect of DHA and irradiation. Finally, a western blot assay was used to find a novel mechanism. As a result, DHA improved TE-1 and TE-10 radiosensitivity in vivo and in vitro. What's more, PPAR-γ expression increased due to the DHA supplement. Inhibiting PPAR-γ could attenuate benefits brought out by DHA somehow. Due to its explicit usage and convenience, DHA would serve as an adjuvant therapy before radiotherapy if the clinical trials indicated positive.
Radiation-induced pulmonary injury is a major dose-limiting toxicity that occurs due to thoracic radiotherapy. And the most widely used high-throughput technology, 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing, is adopted for bacterial classification and identification of airway microbiome analysis. In this study, we provide novel insights into the composition pattern and predicted function of the lung microbiome in RIPI rats. Certain genus and species change in a dose-dependent manner, which might be capable of serving as novel bacterial biomarkers, as well as the potential targets for the future diagnosis or treatment of RIPI. In summary, our findings provide a vital reference for RIPI study, and will contribute to investigate the novel therapeutic or preventive management for RIPI.
Taking advantage of the chlorine radical as a HAT catalyst, a versatile oxidation system for unreactive amines has been well established.
The prognosis of pancreatic cancer remains very poor worldwide, partly due to the lack of specificity of early symptoms and innate resistance to chemo-/radiotherapy. Disulfiram (DSF), an anti-alcoholism drug widely used in the clinic, has been known for decades for its antitumor effects when simultaneously applied with copper ions, including pancreatic cancer. However, controversy still exists in the context of the antitumor effects of DSF alone in pancreatic cancer and related mechanisms, especially in its potential roles as a sensitizer for cancer radiotherapy. In the present study, we focused on whether and how DSF could facilitate ionizing radiation (IR) to eliminate pancreatic cancer. DSF alone significantly suppressed the survival of pancreatic cancer cells after exposure to IR, both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, DSF treatment alone caused DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and further enhanced IR-induced DSBs in pancreatic cancer cells. In addition, DSF alone boosted IR-induced cell cycle G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis in pancreatic cancer exposed to IR. RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis results suggested that DSF could trigger cell adhesion molecule (CAM) signaling, which might be involved in its function in regulating the radiosensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells. In conclusion, we suggest that DSF alone may function as a radiosensitizer for pancreatic cancer, probably by regulating IR-induced DNA damage, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, at least partially through the CAM signaling pathway.
目的 探讨Ⅰ~Ⅲ期结直肠癌(CRC)患者围术期癌胚抗原(CEA)水平变化与临床病理特征、疾病进展的关系,分析术后糖类抗原125(CA125)、糖类抗原19-9(CA19-9)对评估术后CEA阴性患者预后的价值.方法 选取2013年1月-2016年12月苏州大学附属第一医院接受根治性手术的结直肠癌患者287例.应用x2检验、Kaplan-Meier法、Log-rank检验、Cox风险回归模型分析患者围术期CEA、术后CA125联合CA19-9与临床病理特征及预后的关系.结果 所有患者中位随访时间为49个月.术后CEA阳性与不良T分期(T3、T4)、N分期(N1、N2)和TNM分期均显著相关(P<0.01),与癌结节和神经侵犯显著相关(P<0.05).单因素分析发现,N分期、TNM分期、肿瘤分化程度、癌结节、脉管癌栓、神经侵犯、CA19-9和CA125是影响无病生存期(DFS)的相关因素(P<0.05),N分期、肿瘤分化程度、癌结节、CA19-9和CA724是影响总生存期(OS)的相关因素(P<0.05).多因素分析显示,术后CA125阳性(P<0.001)和癌结节(P<0.05)是术后CEA阴性患者DFS的独立预后危险因素,癌结节(P<0.05)和肿瘤分化程度(P<0.05)是影响OS的重要因素.术前和术后CEA均阴性组患者的DFS和OS高于术前或术后CEA阳性组,术后CEA降至正常组的DFS、OS高于术后CEA未降至正常组,术后CA19-9和CA125均阴性者DFS、OS高于术后CA19-9或CA125阳性者,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01).结论 围术期血清CEA水平变化直接影响CRC患者的预后,术前及术后CEA阴性或者术后早期CEA降至正常的患者预后较好.对于术后CEA阴性患者,术后CA125或CA19-9表达阳性提示术后复发、转移风险增高,预后不佳.
Objective To investigate the adverse events and efficacy in cervical cancer patients receiving intensity modulated radiationtherapy ( IMRT) plusbrachytherapy with or without chemotherapy, and to indentify the factors that may affect the prognosis. Methods In this retrospective analysis, we analyzed the clinical and follow-up data of the 422 cervical cancer patients, who received IMRT plus brachytherapy with or without chemotherapy. Among these patients, 353 cases received concurrent chemoradiotherapy and the other 69 cases received radiotherapy alone. Kaplan-Meier method was utilized to calculate the overall survival ( OS) rates. Log-rank-test and Cox regression were performed to executing the univariate and multivariate analysis of the OS, respectively. Results The rate of complete response ( CR) in the patients receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy was significantly higher than that of the patients who received single radiotherapy ( 77. 6% vs. 65. 2%,χ2=4. 812, P<0. 05) . The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 93. 4%, 79. 4%, and 65. 0%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that age, Federation International of Gynecology and Obstetr ( FIGO) 2009 staging, lymph node metastasis, pathological type, chemotherapy experiences concurrent with radiotherapy, short-term efficiency, and sequential chemotherapy could affect the OS (χ2=6. 375-613. 123, P<0. 05). Multivariate analysis showed that FIGO staging, lymph node metastasis, pathological type, chemotherapy experiences concurrent with radiotherapy, and the short-term efficacy were the independent determinants for the prognosis (χ2=3. 930-42. 994, P<0. 05). For patients with positive pelvic lymph node, there were no statistical differences in the para-aortic lymph node ( PALN) metastasis whether undergoing prophylactic extended field irradiation of the PALN or not (PALN metastasis rates: 6. 1% vs. 16. 8%, P>0. 05). The OS for the patients receiving prophylactic extended field irradiation of the PALN was higher than that of patients without prophylactic radiation (χ2=3. 953, P<0. 05 ) . Conclusions Cervical cancer patients receiving IMRT plus brachytherapy with or without chemotherapy had achieved promising prognosis. Prophylactic extended field irradiation of the PALN contributed to the improved OS in the patients with pelvic lymph node metastasis. FIGO staging, pathology type, lymph node metastasis, radiotherapy concurrent with chemotherapy or not, and short-term efficiency were independent factors for the prognosis.
Objective To investigate the adverse effects and clinical efficacy of the intensive modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)and intravaginal brachytherapy combined with versus without chemotherapy in elderly patients with cervical cancer,and to analyze its prognostic factors.Methods Clinical data and follow-up results of 214 patients with cervical cancer aged ≥60 years undergoing IMRT and intravaginal brachytherapy combined with or without chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed.The overall survival(OS) rate was calculated by using the Kaplan-Meier method.Prognostic factors were analyzed by Log-rank single factor test and Cox multivariate analysis.Results The rates of myelosuppression(≥grade 3)was higher in the concurrent chemo-radiotherapy group than in simple radiotherapy group(48.6%% vs.15.8 %,x2 =27.372,P < 0.05).The complete response (CR)rate was higher in the concurrent chemo-radiotherapy group than in the simple radiotherapy group (83.0% vs.68.3%,x 2=5.993,P=0.014).The 1-,3-and 5-year OS rate were 92.2 %,79.3 % and 65.6 %,respectively in all patients.Univariate analysis showed that the staging,lymph node metastasis status,pathological type and short-term efficacy of cervical cancer (based on FIGO guideline)were influencing factors for the prognosis (x2 =4.321-30.316,all P < 0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that the FIGO staging,lymph node metastasis status and short-term efficacy were independent influencing factors for the prognosis(x2 =5.284-14.261,all P<0.05).Conclusions The intensive modulated radiotherapy and intravaginal brachytherapy combined with chemotherapy have a good efficacy and favorable long-term survival rate for the treatment of cervical cancer in elderly patients,and its major adverse effects can be tolerated.The FIGO staging,lymph node metastasis status and short-term efficacy are independent influencing factors for the prognosis in elderly patients with cervical cancer.
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nimotuzumab in combination with radiochemotherapy as the primary treatment in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma from September 2012 to December 2016. 188 newly diagnosed patients with stage III–IVB nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated with at least 1-2 cycles of chemotherapy concurrently with planned IMRT. 88 patients received nimotuzumab 200 mg/week. Acute and late radiation-related toxicities were graded according to the Acute and Late Radiation Morbidity Scoring Criteria of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group. Results: After 3 months of treatment, the complete response rates of nasopharyngeal tumors in the study group and the control group were 78.4% and 65.5%, respectively (χ2=4.070, P=0.044). The total complete response rates of cervical lymph nodes in the study group and the control group were 80.7% and 67.6% respectively (χ2=4.022, P=0.045).The median cycle for nimotuzumab addition was 6.3 weeks. With a median follow-up of 36.3 months (range, 12–72 months), the estimated 3-year progression failure-free survival and overall survival rates for the study group and the control group were 85.24% vs 81.97% and 96.67% vs 90.0%, respectively. The 3-year local recurrence-free survival rates for the study group and the control group were 96.67% vs 83.60%, respectively (P=0.047). Grade 3 radiation-induced mucositis accounted for 36.4% of treated patients. No skin rash and infusion reaction were observed, distinctly from what is reported in control patients. Conclusion: Nimotuzumab plus chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma showed promising outcomes in terms of locoregional control, without increasing the incidence of radiation-related toxicities for patients.