Cadonilimab (PD-1/CTLA-4 Bispecific Blockade) and Chemoradiotherapy in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (GEMSTONE)

The trial aimed to compare cadonilimab combined with induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy (IC+CCRT) versus IC+CCRT alone in high-risk locoregionally-advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC).

The trial plans to enroll patients with non-metastatic stage III-IVA (AJCC 8th, T4N1 or T1-4N2-3) locoregionally-advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC). Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either gemcitabine-cisplatin induction chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (standard-therapy group) or cadonilimab combined with standard therapy (cadonilimab group). Cadonilimab was administered at a dosage of 10 mg per square meter intravenously once every 3 weeks for up to 17 cycles (3 induction cycles and 14 adjuvant cycles).

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with histologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
2. Tumor staged as III-IVA (AJCC 8th, except T3N0-1 or T4N0).
3. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤1.
4. Adequate marrow function: neutrocyte count≥1.5×10e9/L, hemoglobin ≥90g/L and platelet count ≥100×10e9/L.
5. Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)/Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) ≤2.5×upper limit of normal (ULN), and bilirubin ≤ 1.5×ULN.
6. Adequate renal function: creatinine clearance rate ≥ 60 ml/min (Cockcroft-Gault formula).
7. Patients must be informed of the investigational nature of this study and give written informed consent.
8. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) who are sexually active must be willing to adhere to effective contraception during treatment and for 1 year after the last dose of study drug. Men who are sexually active with WOCBP must be willing to adhere to effective contraception during treatment and for 1 year after the last dose of the study drug

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Age \> 65 or \< 18.
2. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive and hepatitis B virus DNA \>1×10e3 copies/ml or 200IU/ml
3. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody positive
4. Has active autoimmune disease, except type I diabetes, hypothyroidism treated with replacement therapy, and skin disease that doesn't require systemic treatment (e.g., vitiligo, psoriasis, or alopecia).
5. Has any condition that required systemic corticosteroid (equivalent to prednisone \>10mg/d) or other immunosuppressive therapy within 28 days before informed consent. Patients received systemic corticosteroid equivalent to prednisone ≤10mg/d, inhale or topical corticosteroid will be allowed.
6. Has a known history of active TB (bacillus tuberculosis) within 1 year; patients with adequately treated active TB over 1 year ago will be allowed.
7. Has a known history of interstitial lung disease.
8. Has received a live vaccine within 30 days before informed consent or will receive a live vaccine in the near future.
9. Is pregnant or breastfeeding.
10. Prior malignancy within 5 years, except in situ cancer, adequately treated non-melanoma skin cancer, and papillary thyroid carcinoma.
11. Has known allergy to large molecule protein products or any compound of cadonilimab.
12. Has a known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
13. Any other condition, including symptomatic heart failure, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, active infection requiring systemic therapy, mental illness or domestic/social factors, deemed by the investigator to be likely to interfere with a patient's ability to sign informed consent, cooperate and participate in the study, or interferes with the interpretation of the results.