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Bovine Lactoferrin in Reducing Taste Disturbances in Patients With Colorectal Cancer Receiving Oxaliplatin-Based Chemotherapy

A Pilot Study of Bovine Lactoferrin in Patients With Colorectal Carcinoma Receiving Oxaliplatin-Based Chemotherapy and Self-Reported Taste Disturbances

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01596634
Enrollment
12
Registered
2012-05-11
Start date
2013-01-31
Completion date
2015-10-10
Last updated
2018-07-03

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

Conditions

Colorectal Cancer, Dysgeusia, Oral Complications of Chemotherapy

Brief summary

The purpose of this research study is to determine if using a lactoferrin supplement will improve taste perception. Lactoferrin is a type of protein that is naturally produced in the body and is commonly found in saliva.

Detailed description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To assess the impact of lactoferrin (bovine lactoferrin) supplementation on self-reported taste and smell disturbances in patients with colorectal cancer receiving oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To assess the impact of lactoferrin supplementation on the baseline lipid peroxidation byproducts in saliva in these patients as measured by the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs) assay. II. To assess the impact of lactoferrin supplementation on the ability of these patients to generate increased lipid peroxidation byproducts when challenged with a weak iron containing solution. III. To assess the impact of lactoferrin supplementation on self-reported general quality of life and on specific self-reported anorexia/cachexia issues in patients with established chemotherapy-induced taste disturbances. IV. To assess the incidence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with oxaliplatin-based therapy induced taste changes OUTLINE: Patients receive bovine lactoferrin orally (PO) (rinse or tablet) thrice daily (TID) for 1 month. Treatment continues in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 2 and 4 weeks.

Interventions

OTHERquestionnaire administration

Ancillary studies

PROCEDUREquality-of-life assessment

Ancillary studies

OTHERlaboratory biomarker analysis

Correlative studies

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTbovine lactoferrin

Given PO

Sponsors

National Cancer Institute (NCI)
CollaboratorNIH
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patients must have histologically or cytologically confirmed colorectal carcinoma * There are no restrictions on the amount or types of prior therapy * Eligible patients must be receiving ongoing chemotherapy with an oxaliplatin containing-regimen which is planned to continue for at least one month following enrollment in this trial * Any dose or schedule of oxaliplatin administration is allowed as long as patients have self-reported taste disturbance that has either: * 1\) developed since the initiation of oxaliplatin-based therapy, or * 2\) a pre-existing, treatment-induced taste disturbance has subjectively worsened since initiating oxaliplatin-based therapy * Patients must have normal baseline self-reported taste perception prior to the development of colorectal carcinoma * Life expectancy of \>= 3 months * Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document

Exclusion criteria

* Patients with a subjective history of an extreme dry mouth syndrome that prevents them from producing adequate amounts of saliva (approximately 2 mL in 15-20 min) * Patients known to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive * Patients with any of the following conditions: untreated gastrointestinal reflux disease; untreated diabetes mellitus; active thrush; active oral infection; active mucositis * Patients who are known to be pregnant or who are breastfeeding are excluded

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in the Taste Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and taste and smell questionnaire responsesApproximately 1 monthPaired-tests will be used to assess the significance of these changes. Linear regression models will be used to determine which patient covariates are associated with change. Repeated measures models will also be used to assess the changes over time using all the repeated measures and contrasts will be used to assess individual pair-wise differences. Descriptive reports will consist of summary statistics (means, standard deviations, proportions, etc.).

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations before and after a ferrous iron oral rinseApproximately 2 months
Quality of life as quantified by the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Treatment (FAACT) questionnaireApproximately 2 months
Effect of bovine lactoferrin on lipid peroxidation byproducts in saliva as measured by the TBARs assayApproximately 2 months

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 26, 2026