Abstract: Background and purpose: The effect of TPF (docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil) induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma is unclear. This study aimed to compare the outcomes and tolerance of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with TPF versus cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (PF) followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. Methods: Patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma were randomly divided into 2 groups: Group TPF and Group PF. Group TPF: One hundred and sixteen nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients received TPF consisting of docetaxel at 60 mg/m2 on day 1, cisplatin at 60 mg/m² on day 1, and 5-fluorouracil at a dose of 750 mg/m² by 24 h continuous infusion for 5 days for 3 cycles with a 21 day interval; Group PF: One hundred and sixteen nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients received PF consisting of cisplatin at 80 mg/m² on day 1, and 5-fluorouracil at a dose of 750 mg/m² by 24 h continuous infusion for 5 days for 3 cycles with a 21 day interval. After the completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, all the patients received intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with concomitant chemotherapy consisting of 2 cycles of cisplatin at 80 mg/m² on day 1 and day 22. The prescribed doses were 6 810 cGy at 2.27 Gy/fraction to the gross tumor volume (GTV) with 5 daily fractions per week for 6 weeks. The acute toxicity and tumor response rate (RR), including complete response (CR) and partial response (PR), were evaluated. Additionally, the 5-year progress-free survival (PFS) rates and overall survival (OS) rates were further evaluated. Results: RR of Group TPF was higher than that of group PF at the end of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and within 13 weeks of the completion of concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The median recurrence time of TPF group was 2.98 years, and the 5-year PFS was 84.48%. The median recurrence time of PF group was 2.32 years, and the 5-year PFS was 82.75%. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (P=0.458). The 5-year OS of TPF group was 87.06%, and for the PF group was 85.34%. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (P=0.274). The incidence of leukopenia, thrombocyte penia, liver and kidney damage, diarrhea and mucosa necrosis in TPF group were significantly higher than those in PF group (P<0.001). The Ⅲ and Ⅳ degrees adverse reactions in TPF group were significantly higher than those in PF group (P<0.001). Conclusion: TPF induction chemotherapy was not superior to the PF regimen for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. It should not be recommended in terms of more acute toxicity.

Key words: Locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Induction chemotherapy, Concurrent chemoradiotherapy