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Last Modified: 6/25/2009     First Published: 8/10/2007  
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Phase III Randomized Study of Baclofen-Amitriptyline Hydrochloride-Ketamine Gel in Cancer Patients With Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Alternate Title
Basic Trial Information
Objectives
Entry Criteria
Expected Enrollment
Outcomes
Outline
Published Results
Trial Contact Information
Registry Information

Alternate Title

Baclofen-Amitriptyline Hydrochloride-Ketamine Gel in Treating Peripheral Neuropathy Caused by Chemotherapy in Patients With Cancer

Basic Trial Information

PhaseTypeStatusAgeSponsorProtocol IDs
Phase IIISupportive careTemporarily closed18 and overNCINCCTG-N06CA
N06CA, NCT00516503

Objectives

Primary

  1. Compare the effectiveness of baclofen-amitriptyline hydrochloride-ketamine (BAK) gel versus placebo, in terms of improving sensory neuropathy, in cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Secondary

  1. Compare motor and autonomic symptoms and functioning, mood states, pain, and peripheral neuropathy in these patients.
  2. Assess the adverse event profile of topical BAK gel.
  3. Explore whether topical BAK gel is absorbed systemically.

Entry Criteria

Disease Characteristics:

  • Diagnosis of cancer
  • Received or currently receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy including, but not limited to, taxanes (e.g., paclitaxel or docetaxel); platinum-based compounds (e.g., carboplatin, cisplatin, or oxaliplatin); vinca alkaloids (e.g., vincristine or vinblastine); or other neurotoxic chemotherapy agents (e.g., bortezomib, lenalidomide, or thalidomide)
  • Must have pain or symptoms of peripheral neuropathy attributable to chemotherapy for ≥ 1 month
    • Neuropathy is limited to either hands and/or feet where gel can be applied
    • Neuropathic pain score of ≥ 4 out of 10 on the numbness/tingling/pain numeric analogue scale
  • No pre-existing or history of peripheral neuropathy due to any cause other than chemotherapy (e.g., diabetes, alcohol, toxin, heredity)

Prior/Concurrent Therapy:

  • See Disease Characteristics
  • More than 30 days since prior anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitor, or other neuropathic pain medication (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproic acid, gabapentin, lamotrigine, topical lidocaine patch or gel, capsaicin cream, or amifostine)
    • Patients treated with any of these agents for peripheral neuropathy for ≤ 1 week during the past 30 days are eligible provided they are no longer taking the agent
  • More than 5 years since prior percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass graft
    • Prior heart valve replacement surgery allowed provided patient has fully recovered from the surgery
  • No concurrent use of study agents other than as specified in the trial

Patient Characteristics:

  • ECOG performance status 0-2
  • Life expectancy ≥ 4 months
  • Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal
  • Not pregnant or nursing
  • No ability to bear children defined by 1 of the criteria:
    • Menopausal (12 months and no menstrual period if natural menopause)
    • Underwent a hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy
    • Permanent surgical sterilization (tubal ligation)
  • Fertile patients must use effective contraception
  • Able to complete questionnaires independently or with assistance
  • Able to sign informed consent and understand the nature of a placebo-controlled trial
  • No history of an allergic reaction to baclofen, amitriptyline hydrochloride, and/or ketamine
  • No diagnosis of any New York Heart Association class I-IV congestive heart failure
  • No diagnosis of coronary artery disease including, but not limited to, myocardial infarction, within the past 5 years
  • No other medical condition that, in the opinion of the treating physician or allied health professional, would make this clinical trial unreasonably hazardous for the patient
  • No skin abnormalities at the intended application sites (hands and feet) of study gel (i.e., skin breakdown)

Expected Enrollment

148

Outcomes

Primary Outcome(s)

Total sensory neuropathy (area under the curve [AUC]) as measured by the EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 at baseline and week 4

Secondary Outcome(s)

Motor neuropathy as measured by the EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 at baseline and week 4
Autonomic symptoms and functioning as measured by the EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 at baseline and week 4
Mood states and total mood disturbance as measured by the Profile of Mood States-Brief at baseline and week 4
Pain severity and interference as measured by the Brief Pain Inventory at baseline and week 4
Numbness, tingling, and pain as measured by the Peripheral Neuropathy Questionnaire at baseline and weekly for 4 weeks
Perception of benefit as measured by the Subject Global Impression of Change at the end of week 4
Frequency and severity of adverse events reported by the patient in the Symptom Experience Diary and evaluated through clinical assessment by NCI CTCAE v3.0

Outline

Patients are stratified according to neurotoxic chemotherapy (active vs non-active), current use of opioids or oral pain medications (yes vs no), pain rating (4-7 vs 8–10), and prior ineffective pharmacologic treatment for peripheral neuropathy (yes vs no). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms.

  • Arm I: Patients apply 1 spoonful of baclofen-amitriptyline hydrochloride-ketamine gel topically to each area of pain, numbness, and/or tingling on the feet and/or hands twice daily for 4 weeks.
  • Arm II: Patients apply 1 spoonful of placebo gel topically to each area of pain, numbness, and/or tingling on the feet and/or hands twice daily for 4 weeks.

Some patients in both arms may choose to continue on the active gel or, if on placebo, begin the active gel for an additional 8 weeks off study.

Patients complete health, pain, mood, and quality of life questionnaires at baseline and periodically during study. Patients also record adverse symptoms weekly in a Symptom Experience Diary.

Published Results

Barton DL, Wos E, Qin R, et al.: A randomized controlled trial evaluating a topical treatment for chemotherapy-induced neuropathy: NCCTG trial N06CA. [Abstract] J Clin Oncol 27 (Suppl 15): A-9531, 2009.

Wolf SL, Qin R, Barton DL, et al.: Relationship of sensory symptoms and motor function in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) utilizing the EORTC QLQ CIPN20: NCCTG study N06CA. [Abstract] J Clin Oncol 27 (Suppl 15): A-9587, 2009.

Trial Contact Information

Trial Lead Organizations

North Central Cancer Treatment Group

Debra Barton, RN, PhD, AOCN, FAAN, Protocol chair
Ph: 507-255-3812

Registry Information
Official Title The Use of Topical Baclofen, Amitriptyline HCI, and Ketamine (BAK) in a PLO Gel vs. Placebo for the Treatment of Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Phase III Randomized Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Study
Trial Start Date 2008-02-22
Trial Completion Date 2009-06-19 (estimated)
Registered in ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00516503
Date Submitted to PDQ 2007-07-19
Information Last Verified 2009-02-14

Note: The purpose of most clinical trials listed in this database is to test new cancer treatments, or new methods of diagnosing, screening, or preventing cancer. Because all potentially harmful side effects are not known before a trial is conducted, dose and schedule modifications may be required for participants if they develop side effects from the treatment or test. The therapy or test described in this clinical trial is intended for use by clinical oncologists in carefully structured settings, and may not prove to be more effective than standard treatment. A responsible investigator associated with this clinical trial should be consulted before using this protocol.

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