On December 11, 2025, Dr. Liu Huixia, Director of the Third Department of Internal Medicine at our hospital, successfully prescribed the injection of Becotatug Vedotin (Brand Name: Meizest) for a patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Becotatug Vedotin is the world's first EGFR ADC drug approved for marketing. It received conditional marketing authorization from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China on October 30, 2025. The indication is for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma who have failed prior therapy with at least two lines of systemic chemotherapy and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. This offers patients a novel, precise treatment option, opening a new chapter in the treatment journey for individuals with NPC.

(Image: Dr. Liu Huixia, Chief Physician, prescribing medication for a patient)

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Silent Stalker with a Distinct 'Hometown'

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor originating from the epithelial cells lining the nasopharyngeal mucosa. It commonly occurs in the roof and lateral walls of the nasopharynx, most frequently at the pharyngeal recess (fossa of Rosenmüller). As a common malignancy in China, its incidence shows significant regional variation, with a particularly high prevalence in the southern region of the country.

While patient survival for early-stage or locally advanced NPC has significantly improved with comprehensive treatments like radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, some patients still experience recurrence or distant metastasis. Once recurrence or metastasis occurs, treatment often becomes more challenging.

As China's first EGFR-targeting ADC drug, Becotatug Vedotin, leveraging its innovative structural design featuring a high-affinity EGFR antibody, a cleavable VC linker, and a potent MMAE payload, provides a brand-new option for the later-line treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic NPC.

Key Clinical Trial Data for Becotatug Vedotin

01 Objective Response Rate
The objective response rate (ORR) assessed by blinded independent central review in the Becotatug Vedotin group reached 30.2%, significantly higher than the 11.5% in the chemotherapy group, representing an nearly three-fold increase.

02 Median Progression-Free Survival
The median progression-free survival (PFS) in the Becotatug Vedotin group was 5.82 months, doubling the 2.83 months observed in the chemotherapy group. This corresponds to a significant 37% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death.

03 Overall Survival Data
An interim analysis as of December 30, 2024, showed that the median overall survival (OS) in the Becotatug Vedotin group reached 17.08 months, demonstrating a clear trend towards benefit compared to 11.99 months in the chemotherapy group.

04 Safety Profile
Becotatug Vedotin exhibited a favorable tolerability profile. The incidence of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) was similar to the chemotherapy group. Most events were Grade 1 or 2. The incidence of Grade ≥3 TRAEs was 45.3% and 50.6%, respectively.
Notably, the Becotatug Vedotin group showed significantly lower hematological toxicity compared to the chemotherapy group. The incidence of Grade ≥3 white blood cell count decrease was only 9.3% , substantially lower than the 35.6% observed in the chemotherapy group.

Sharpening the Blade with New Drugs · Forging Ahead for Life

Guangzhou Royal Lee Hospital is always committed to providing patients with higher quality, cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment services. Our Pharmacy Department actively maintains close collaboration with domestic and international pharmaceutical companies, establishing a rapid channel for introducing new drugs. This ensures that various innovative medications can arrive at our hospital pharmacy promptly after approval, allowing patients to benefit from the latest medical advancements without lengthy waiting periods.

Reference:
2025 ASCO | Professor Xu Ruihua, Professor Han Fei: Nearly Three-Fold Increase in ORR! Becotatug Vedotin Embarks on a New Journey for Later-Line Treatment of Recurrent/Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Important Notice:
This article is intended for academic reference by healthcare professionals only and does not constitute any medical advice or recommendation. Individual patient conditions vary. Suitability for Becotatug Vedotin requires a comprehensive evaluation by a physician at a standard medical institution. Please do not purchase medication or change treatment regimens on your own.