Zero Out-of-Pocket Curative Carbon Ion Therapy for Nasopharyngeal Cancer – Recruitment
Zero Out-of-Pocket Curative Carbon Ion Therapy for Nasopharyngeal Cancer – Recruitment
1. Research Background
The Lanzhou Campus of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital is the second heavy-ion clinical center in China operating with domestically developed proprietary intellectual property rights, managed by Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital. Together with the first Chinese heavy-ion treatment system, the second Chinese heavy-ion tumor treatment system commenced clinical operation at the Lanzhou Campus of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital on November 15, 2024. To date, our hospital has completed heavy-ion and photon therapy for over 530 patients, covering diseases such as lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, and glioblastoma.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a highly prevalent head and neck malignancy in China, and radiotherapy is the core curative treatment. Conventional photon radiotherapy has limitations, including significant damage to normal tissues and high risks associated with retreatment after recurrence. Carbon ion radiotherapy offers dual advantages of precise dose distribution via the Bragg peak and high biological effectiveness, providing stronger tumor killing while better protecting normal tissues. It represents a cutting-edge technology for precision treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
We are now conducting a Phase II clinical study of curative carbon ion radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma and are recruiting eligible patients nationwide.
II. Research Objectives
The Lanzhou Campus of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital will initiate this clinical trial in May 2026. This study aims to evaluate the local control rate, overall survival rate, and progression‑free survival rate of curative carbon ion radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (cT1‑3N0‑2M0), as well as to observe acute and chronic toxicities, thereby validating its efficacy and safety. A total of 46 participants are planned for enrollment. Eligible participants will receive heavy‑ion radiotherapy over a period of 3–4 weeks. Participation in this study waives all costs related to heavy‑ion radiotherapy.
III. Inclusion Criteria
1. Aged 18–75 years;
2. Pathologically confirmed primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma (excluding mucosal melanoma, lymphoma, soft tissue sarcoma, bone and cartilage sarcoma);
3. Clinical staging per UICC 9th edition: cT1-3N0-2M0;
4. ECOG performance status 0–1, with expected survival ≥ 1 year;
5. Able to receive standardized chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other comprehensive treatments per NCCN guidelines;
6. No history of other malignancies (excluding cured skin cancer or stage 0 cervical cancer);
7. Able to lie flat quietly for 30 minutes, with good compliance and ability to cooperate with follow-up;
8. Willing to sign informed consent voluntarily.
IV. Exclusion Criteria
1. Pregnant or lactating women;
2. Uncontrolled severe underlying diseases such as cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, renal disorders, or diabetes;
3. Connective tissue diseases such as scleroderma or systemic lupus erythematosus;
4. Participation in another drug clinical trial within 30 days prior to enrollment;
5. Contraindications to radiotherapy, poor compliance, or inability to complete treatment and follow-up;
6. Other conditions deemed unsuitable for enrollment by the investigator.
V. Patient Rights
1. Full waiver of all heavy ion radiotherapy costs;
2. Personalized treatment plan developed by an MDT multidisciplinary team;
3. Long-term standardized follow-up and rehabilitation guidance after treatment;
4. Priority access to the latest clinical technologies in carbon ion therapy.
VI. Contact Information
Clinic Address: Lanzhou Campus of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital (No. 100 Yanbei Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou City)
Consultation Hotline: Director Zhang Yingdong – +86 186 1119 7317
Evaluation Process: Submit documents → MDT assessment → Screening and enrollment → Simulation and treatment → Regular follow-up
Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital Lanzhou Campus
The Lanzhou Campus of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital is the second heavy-ion clinical center in China operating with domestically developed proprietary intellectual property rights, managed by Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital. Together with the first Chinese heavy-ion treatment system, the second Chinese heavy-ion tumor treatment system commenced clinical operation at the Lanzhou Campus of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital on November 15, 2024. To date, our hospital has completed heavy-ion and photon therapy for over 530 patients, covering diseases such as lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, and glioblastoma.
Our hospital has established an outstanding talent system, bringing together an expert workstation led by 50 top-tier authorities, including Professor Shen Wenjiang, Emeritus Professor of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Peking University Health Science Center, and Professor Xu Bo, Standing Committee Member of the Chinese Society of Radiation Oncology. Professor Wang Junjie, Chairman of the Chinese Society of Radiation Oncology, serves as the hospital director, providing strong technical support for heavy-ion therapy.
In addition, our hospital is equipped with a series of cutting-edge radiotherapy devices, including the Varian VitalBeam medical linear accelerator, the Elekta Infinity four-dimensional image-guided radiotherapy linear accelerator, a 3.0T simulation and positioning MRI, a GE 256-slice high-end CT, and a Varian Iridium-192 imported afterloader. These hardware facilities lay a solid foundation for heavy-ion therapy, ensuring high efficiency and precision throughout the treatment process.
With the goal of building a comprehensive, full-life-cycle tumor treatment system, our hospital has established departments including the Department of Radiation Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology/Hematology, Department of Surgical Oncology, Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Cancer Rehabilitation, Minimally Invasive Interventional Center, Department of Critical Care Medicine, and Digestive Endoscopy Center. We provide heavy-ion radiotherapy, photon radiotherapy, chemotherapy, minimally invasive interventional therapy, and comprehensive medical and surgical treatments for cancer.
Our hospital is equipped with advanced diagnostic technologies and facilities. We have medical technology departments such as the Department of Medical Imaging, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Blood Bank, and Hematology Center Laboratory, offering CT/MRI diagnostic imaging, medical laboratory testing, ultrasound diagnosis and interventional procedures, and bone marrow morphology examinations to meet patients' diagnostic needs.
The Minimally Invasive Interventional Center is equipped with an Iodine-125 brachytherapy system for tumors, a body implant navigation and positioning system, a GE digital subtraction angiography (DSA) unit, a microwave thermocoagulation therapy device, and an argon-helium cryoablation system. These enable precise treatment for cancer patients through embolization, ablation, and brachytherapy.
