Miraculin for Improving Taste Dysfunction in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy

This phase III trial tests whether miraculin, also called “Miracle Fruit,” works in improving taste dysfunction in patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiation therapy. When patients with head and neck cancer receive radiation therapy, the treatment may cause a change in sense of taste. Foods and drinks may taste unpleasant, or not as flavorful. This side effect is called “dysgeusia.” Dysgeusia can lead to loss of appetite, which may cause health issues such as dehydration and weight loss. Miracle Fruit alters sense of taste by making sour things taste sweet. A component of Miracle Fruit, called “miraculin,” is what causes this change. Giving miraculin to patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiation therapy may help alleviate dysgeusia and decrease medical problems such as weight loss, dehydration, and lack of nutrition.

Additional locations may be listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for NCT05273307.

Trial PhasePhase III

Trial Typesupportive care

Lead OrganizationUniversity of California San Francisco

Principal InvestigatorSue Sun Yom

• Primary ID22721
• Secondary IDsNCI-2022-01711, 21-35863
• ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT05273307