Table 3.
Multivariable analysis of prognostic factors for III-IVb NPC patients
| Hazard ratio* (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|
| Progression-free survival | ||
| Age (y) (≥ 45 vs. < 45) | 1.543(1.100–2.164) | 0.012 |
| Gender(F vs. M) | 1.055(0.814–1.366) | 0.686 |
| T category (3–4 vs. 1–2) | 1.280(0.846–1.937) | 0. 242 |
| N category (2–3 vs. 0–1) | 1.357(0.977–1.886) | 0.069 |
| Overall stage (IVa-b vs. III) | 1.487(1.133–1.951) | 0.004 |
| EBV DNA | 1.579(1.151–2.164) | 0.005 |
| IC regimen; PF vs. TPF | 1.189(0.880–1.605) | 0.260 |
| IC regimen; TP vs. TPF | 1.630(1.151–2.308) | 0.006 |
| Overall survival | ||
| Age (y) (≥ 45 vs. < 45) | 0.892(0.510–1.560) | 0.688 |
| Gender(F vs. M) | 1.846(1.115–3.055) | 0.017 |
| T category (3–4 vs. 1–2) | 0.967(0.475–2.177) | 0.927 |
| N category (2–3 vs. 0–1) | 1.161(0.620–2.177) | 0.641 |
| Overall stage (IVa-b vs. III) | 1.606(0.950–2.715) | 0.077 |
| EBV DNA | 3.881(1.657–9.090) | 0.002 |
| IC regimen; PF vs. TPF | 1.604(0.917–2.804) | 0.098 |
| IC regimen; TP vs. TPF | 1.571(0.719–3.436) | 0.258 |
| Locoregional relapse-free survival | ||
| Age (y) (≥ 45 vs. < 45) | 1.525(0.872–2.668) | 0.139 |
| Gender(F vs. M) | 0.970(0.631–1.492) | 0.891 |
| T category (3–4 vs. 1–2) | 1.189(0.598–2.364) | 0.622 |
| N category (2–3 vs. 0–1) | 0.890(0.542–1.462) | 0.645 |
| Overall stage (IVa-b vs. III) | 1.240(0.798–1.928) | 0.339 |
| EBV DNA | 1.672(0.983–2.843) | 0.058 |
| IC regimen; PF vs. TPF | 1.157(0.709–1.887) | 0.559 |
| IC regimen; TP vs. TPF | 1.298(0.711–2.369) | 0.395 |
| Distant metastasis-free survival | ||
| Age (y) (≥ 45 vs. < 45) | 1.592(1.051–2.411) | 0.028 |
| Gender(F vs. M) | 0.951(0.694–1.303) | 0.756 |
| T category (3–4 vs. 1–2) | 1.428(0.852–2.393) | 0.177 |
| N category (2–3 vs. 0–1) | 1.706(1.118–2.606) | 0.013 |
| Overall stage (IVa-b vs. III) | 1.488(1.071–2.068) | 0.018 |
| EBV DNA | 1.424(0.980–2.069) | 0.063 |
| IC regimen; PF vs. TPF | 1.349(0.940–1.936) | 0.104 |
| IC regimen; TP vs. TPF | 1.692(1.115–2.569) | 0.013 |
A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to detect variables individually without adjustment. All variables were transformed into categorical variables. HRs were calculated for age (years) (≥45 vs. < 45), sex (female vs. male), T stage (T3–4 vs. T1–2), N stage (N2–3 vs. N0–1), plasma EBV DNA before the first treatment (≥1500 copies/ml vs. < 1500 copies/ml), overall stage (IVa-b vs. III), and IC regimen (PF vs. TPF, TP vs. TPF)
Abbreviations: CI Confidence interval, EBV Epstein–Barr virus, IC Induction chemotherapy, TPF Taxanes plus cisplatin with fluorouracil, PF Cisplatin with fluorouracil, TP Taxanes with cisplatin