Current Research Studies

ARAR2221: A Phase 2 Study Using Chemoimmunotherapy with Gemcitabine, Cisplatin and Nivolumab in Newly Diagnosed Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC)

ARAR2221

  • Condition(s): Lip, Oral Cavity and Pharynx
  • Phase: II
  • Clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT06064097

What is the goal of the study?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a tumor of epidermoid origin with unique histologic, epidemiologic and biological characteristics. In its endemic form, NPC is strongly associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). NPC is very rare in children, with only 1% of all NPC occurring in patients < 19 years, and NPC represents approximately 1% of all pediatric malignancies.1, 2 However, it has an endemic distribution among well-defined ethnic groups, such as inhabitants of some areas of Southeast Asia or Alaskan Native Americans, where the incidence is 25-50 and 15-20/100,000 persons per year, respectively.3 In the US, NPC appears to be more prevalent in the southern states and among African-American children.4 Virtually all cases of NPC in children are type III (undifferentiated/poorly differentiated) histology. Most children present with advanced, loco-regionally bulky disease. Both the histologic subtype and the age of presentation suggest that in western countries, childhood NPC, in contrast to adult NPC, may be strongly associated to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Indeed, on ARAR0331, the prior Children’s Oncology Group (COG) study for patients with NPC, over 95% of patients had EBV+ disease.

Who can participate in the study?

Please contact the study team listed below to learn more.

Study Team: