Clinical trials in nasopharyngeal carcinoma—past, present and future

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has an age-adjusted incidence for both sexes with greater frequency in some endemic regions, especially the southern China. Genetic, ethnic, environmental factors and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection might take part in the cause of the disease. Based on the understanding and research progresses, we have had a further step among the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. Meanwhile, a numerous clinical trials aiming to pick out the most suitable therapeutic choice are carried on from past till now. The purpose of this review is to summarize therapeutic approaches from past RCTs, introduce hot topics at present, and explore the development trend in the future. Applying appropriate combining procedures of radiotherapy and chemotherapy with developments in gene therapy and immunotherapy, the outcomes in the future might be widely improved.