Toripalimab with chemotherapy for previously untreated recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Toripalimab is in clinical development for the first-line treatment of recurrent/metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). NPC is a rare cancer which affects the part of the throat connecting the back of the nose to the back of the mouth (the pharynx). It can be difficult to recognise, with symptoms often presenting once the cancer has reached an advanced stage. Symptoms can include nosebleeds, headaches, hearing loss and a lump in the neck that persists for more than three weeks. Surgery is not usually an option to treat NPC due to affected area being difficult to access. There are no biological agents that are used to treat NPC, with the current standard treatment in the UK being chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.