L-CARnitine in the palliative treatment of advanced PANcreatic cancer (CARPAN)

L-Carnitine in the palliative treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer (CARPAN): a prospective, randomised, placebo controlled, double blinded, multicentre trial

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN83465351

Enrollment

Registered

2011-04-12

Start date

2006-06-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2015-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Advanced pancreatic cancer Cancer Malignant neoplasm of pancreas

Interventions

Intervention (Verum): L-Carnitine 4 g/day Placebo: Tartaric acid Both administered orally The trial duration was 3 month, patient visit at time of enrolment, week 6 and week 12

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Advanced pancreatic cancer (UICC Stage IV) 2. A Karnofsky Index larger than 60 3. Compliance 4. The consent to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Patients were excluded with a Child-Pugh classification of liver failure greater than Class B 2. A known second malignant tumor 3. Oral or parenteral supplementation with omega-3-fatty acids 4. Treatment with Thalidomide or Infliximab 5. Mental or physical disorders

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Influence of L-Carnitine on proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Influence of L-Carnitine on 1.1. Other proinflammatory cytokines (IL 6, IL8, IL12) 1.2. C-reactive protein (CRP) 1.3. Malnutrition and cancer cachexia, cancer related fatigue syndrome 1.4. Mortality 1.5. Hospital stay	—

Countries

Germany

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026