Advances in immunotherapy and targeted therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: current progress and combined approaches (Review)

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a malignancy of the head and neck closely associated with Epstein‑Barr virus (EBV) infection, is highly prevalent in southern China and Southeast Asia. Traditional treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy have notable limitations in the management of locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic cases. Previously, immunotherapies, such as PD‑1/PD‑L1 inhibitors and targeted therapies, including EGFR and VEGF inhibitors, have emerged as breakthroughs in the treatment of NPC. The synergistic effects of combining these therapies have become a prominent area of research. While existing reviews have discussed the progress in immunotherapy and targeted therapy, most focus on single therapeutic modalities and lack a systematic integration of the latest clinical data and emerging treatment approaches. The present review discussed recent clinical trial results, focusing on the synergistic mechanisms of combined immunotherapy and targeted therapy, while also exploring the predictive value of EBV‑associated biomarkers. Additionally, it described cutting‑edge developments such as bispecific antibodies and antibody‑drug conjugates. The present article provides a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms, clinical advancements, efficacy and safety of immunotherapy, targeted therapy and their combination in NPC, highlighting current challenges and future directions to offer precise guidance for personalized clinical treatment.