Toxicity profile of patients treated with proton and carbon-ion therapy for primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundProton and carbon-ion therapy may spare normal tissues in regions with many critical structures surrounding the target volume. As toxicity outcome data are emerging, we aimed to synthesize the published data for the toxicity outcomes of proton or carbon-ion therapy (together known as particle beam therapy [PBT]) for primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Materials and methodsWe searched PubMed and Scopus electronic databases to identify original studies reporting toxicity outcomes following PBT of primary NPC. Quality assessment was performed using NIH's Quality Assessment Tool. Reports were extracted for information on demographics, main results, and clinical and dose factors correlates. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model. ResultsTwelve studies were selected (six using mixed particle-photon beams, five performed comparisons to photon-based therapy). The pooled event rates for acute grade >= 2 toxicities mucositis, dermatitis, xerostomia weight loss are 46% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]-29%-64%, I-2 = 87%), 47% (95% CI-28%-67%, I-2 = 87%), 16% (95% CI-9%-29%, I-2 = 76%), and 36% (95% CI-27%-47%, I-2 = 45%), respectively. Only one late endpoint (xerostomia grade >= 2) has sufficient data for analysis with pooled event rate of 9% (95% CI-3%-29%, I-2 = 77%), lower than intensity-modulated radiotherapy 27% (95% CI-10%-54%, I-2 = 95%). For most endpoints with significant differences between the PBT and photon-based therapies, PBT resulted in better outcomes. In two studies where dose distribution was studied, doses to the organs at risk were independent risk factors for toxicities. ConclusionPBT may reduce the risk of acute toxicities for patients treated for primary NPC, likely due to dose reduction to critical structures. The pooled event rate for toxicities derived in this study can be a guide for patient counseling.

Automated summary

This study aimed to synthesize the data on the toxicity outcomes of proton and carbon-ion therapy for primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The analysis of 12 studies showed that particle beam therapy (PBT) had better outcomes in terms of acute toxicities, possibly due to reduced dose to critical structures.