Head and Neck Cancer, Oral Complications
Conditions
Keywords
oral complications, lip and oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma, oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Brief summary
RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Drugs such as pilocarpine may protect normal cells from the side effects of radiation therapy. It is not yet known if pilocarpine may be effective in preventing mucositis and dry mouth in patients receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. PURPOSE: Randomized, double-blinded, phase III trial to study the effectiveness of pilocarpine in preventing mucositis and dry mouth in patients receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.
Detailed description
OBJECTIVES: I. Determine whether prophylactic use of pilocarpine can shelter unstimulated and stimulated whole salivary flow in patients with head and neck cancer. II. Determine whether prophylactic use of pilocarpine can moderate xerostomia in these patients. III. Determine whether prophylactic use of pilocarpine can reduce the grade and duration of radiation induced mucositis in these patients. IV. Evaluate quality of life outcomes between patients receiving pilocarpine versus placebo. V. Evaluate the impact of xerostomia on patients receiving irradiation to the head and neck. OUTLINE: This is a randomized, double blind study. Patients receive a central axis midplane dose of radiotherapy five days per week over 6 to 7 weeks. Oral pilocarpine or placebo is administered beginning 3 days prior to radiotherapy, one tablet four times per day for three months. A tablet will be taken 45-60 minutes before radiotherapy. After three months, and after a 3-4 day rest period, all patients receive non blinded pilocarpine for an additional three month period. Patients are followed at weeks 4, 13, and 26 after the start of radiotherapy. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 244 patients will be accrued (122 per treatment arm).
Interventions
5mg pilocarpine hydrochloride tablets
OTHERPlacebo
Sponsors
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Radiation Therapy Oncology Group
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 120 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven oral cavity and/or oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma Radiation volume to encompass at least 50% of parotid glands and have at least 50 Gy delivered to that volume via external beam No salivary gland malignancies or diseases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance Status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life Expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Other: Not pregnant or nursing Effective contraceptive method must be used during study No pilocarpine allergy PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: Not specified Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy to head or neck Surgery: Not specified Other: No concurrent adrenergic antagonists, cholinergic drugs, anti-cholinergics, or tricyclics
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Acute salivary gland toxicity | From the start of treatment to 13 weeks |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Acute mucositis in the pharynx, palate, tongue, or buccal | From the start of treatment to 13 weeks |
| Quality of life as measured by the University of Washington Head and Neck Symptom questionnaire | Pretreatment to 26 weeks from the start of treatment |
| Effects of continuing pilocarpine out to 6 months from the start of treatment | From the start of treatment to 26 weeks |
Countries
Canada, United States
Outcome results
None listed