Study Objectives and Patient Eligibility
cancer, Anderson Cancer, RTOG, Cancer
CANCER, DISEASE, CANCER
RTOG 0615 is a nonrandomized multicenter phase II trial at 19 cancer centers that included patients with previously untreated stage IIB through IVB NPC (according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual, 6th Edition [AJCC 6]). Participating centers were the Beth Israel Medical Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Stanford University Medical Center, City of Hope Medical Center, Chinese University of Hong Kong, University Of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center-Orlando, McGill University, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School, Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Wisconsin Hospital, Schiffler Cancer Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Radiological Associates of Sacramento, University Of Western Ontario, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Shadyside Hospital, St. John’s Hospital Cancer Institute, and Christiana Care Health Services, Inc. Patients with Zubrod performance status of 0 (indicating fully functioning and asymptomatic) to 1 (indicating symptomatic but completely ambulatory) who met criteria for blood counts and other tests (eg, white blood cell [WBC] count ≥4000/μl; platelet count ≥100 ×10Standard of care pretreatment evaluations consisted of history collection and physical, dental, nutritional, audiogram, and laboratory studies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the nasopharynx or neck was required unless there was a contraindication (ie, use of a pacemaker), in which case a computed tomography (CT) scan of the nasopharynx or neck was required. Additional tests to evaluate the extent of disease included chest x-ray; tests of alkaline phosphatase level, liver function, and lactate dehydrogenase level; and liver and bone scans when indicated. Positron emission tomography (PET) was optional at the time of this protocol.