Objectives: The relevant biomarkers in predicting maintenance therapy (MT) outcomes in metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are yet unclear. Patients & methods: Metastatic NPC patients were randomly divided into MT (S1-MT) and non-MT groups. The association of Epstein-Barr virus DNA (EBV-DNA) and SAA with survival was assessed. Results: A total of 183 patients were included. S1-MT significantly increased the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of the metastatic NPC patients (both p < 0.001). For patients who were EBV-DNA positive or had decreased SAA, the PFS and OS increased significantly after S1-MT (both p < 0.001), while patients with stable SAA did not benefit from S1-MT. Conclusion: S1-MT improved the PFS and OS of metastatic NPC patients. EBV-DNA and SAA status were closely associated with the outcomes of S1-MT. Clinical trial registration number: ChiCTR-IOR-16007939.
Keywords: EBV-DNA; S1; SAA; maintenance therapy; metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.