The Impact of Using Nicorandil for the Prevention of Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity (NICBREASTRCT)

November 1, 2026 updated by: Noha Salah Ahmed Abdelaziz, Universiti Sains Malaysia

The Impact of Using Nicorandil for the Prevention of Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity, Including Quality of Life and Cost Analysis Among Breast Cancer Patients at Breast Cancer Hospital: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Egypt

Breast cancer is one of the world's most common cancers in females. Most of the chemotherapy protocols used to treat breast cancer involve doxorubicin. Doxorubicin has a very significant antitumor effect on breast tumors. One of the obstacles that hinders the use of doxorubicin is cardiotoxicity. Although many agents are used to address this issue, only dexrazoxane is FDA-approved. One suggested pathway for doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity is due to calcium imbalance. Calcium ions are very important in controlling the heart's function. Nicorandil is an anti-anginal agent that shows cardioprotective effects against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in preclinical trials. Not only that, but preclinical studies on rats and mice have also shown that it has antitumor and augmenting effects on doxorubicin's anticancer properties. Here in our trial, the impact of the nicorandil will be assessed on breast cancer patients. The chosen method will be a parallel, open-label, randomized clinical trial. The selected sampling method will be stratified blocks based on radiotherapy and HFA-ICOS baseline scores. The sample size will be 146 patients, who will be randomized using a premuted block. The primary parameter will be the ejection fraction. The secondary parameters will include cardiac troponins, creatine kinase myocardial band, safety assessment of nicorandil use on the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems, quality of life after nicorandil use, cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of nicorandil, and the quality of life and baseline cardiac scoring system.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

There are different modalities for the treatment of breast cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Chemotherapy is important to decrease the tumor size of the breast, making breast conservation possible.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anticancer agent used in chemotherapy to treat hematological and solid cancers. In breast cancer, DOX is used in many protocols. One of the well-known chemotherapeutic protocols is AC-T (adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel). The mechanism of DOX cytotoxicity is due to free radical formation, which is associated with DOX cardiotoxic adverse events. DOX-induced cardiomyopathy leads to fibrosis of myocardial cells that causes cardiovascular disorders. DOX-cardiotoxicity is considered irreversible (type I) cardiotoxicity. Echocardiography remains the gold standard for assessing cardiac function primarily by evaluating the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Besides, echocardiography could assess the global longitudinal strain (GLS), a measure of the left ventricle's longitudinal shortening, which is more sensitive for detecting early myocardial dysfunction that cannot be assessed by LVEF alone. Changes in GLS can indicate subclinical cardiac impairment, which is considered an early warning sign of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Biomarkers of cardiotoxicity are a non-invasive method for early detection in patients undergoing doxorubicin therapy. These biomarkers enable clinicians to initiate preventive treatment regimens earlier, as they indicate long-term LVEF deterioration. Studies have shown that the risk of DOX cardiotoxicity increases at a cumulative dose of 400 mg/m² without other risk factors. DOX-induced cardiotoxicity may lead to increased morbidity and mortality.

As a consequence, for most of the patients with DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, their quality of life will be affected. One of the methods used for quality of life assessment is the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC) Core 30 (QLQ-C30), and another one for breast cancer patients (BR-42). A study has shown the deterioration in the psychological and physical state of breast cancer patients on chemotherapy treatment.

Many antioxidant supplements are used to treat DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Dexrazoxane is the only FDA-approved cardioprotective agent for DOX cardiotoxicity. Although other supplements like omega-3, vitamin E, and levocarnitine have shown significant effects in preclinical studies, only a few have been investigated in clinical practice. Yet, few studies have targeted the Ca²⁺ imbalance caused by DOX administration.

Nicorandil (NIC), a nicotinamide ester with a nitrate group, is used in several medical conditions in Japan and Europe. Nicorandil's (NIC) cardioprotective effect was caused by selective activation of the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ channel (mitoKATP) and nitric oxide (NO) donor activity. These will lead to cardiac muscle relaxation and decrease reactive oxygen species and cell death. They also maintain calcium homeostasis and prevent high intracellular calcium levels, which can cause cellular malfunction and apoptosis.

Available studies show promising results for NIC in patients with heart failure. Preclinical studies suggested that NIC may also have a protective effect against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity by avoiding mitochondrial dysfunction without affecting the antitumor activity of DOX. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm the protective effect of NIC against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
146

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • Egypt
    • Cairo Governorate
      • Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Female

Description

Inclusion criteria

  • 18 years - 65 years
  • Female patients with stage (I, II, III) breast cancer.
  • Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 55% upon breast cancer diagnosis.
  • Systolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg
  • Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min per 1.73 m²). Exclusion criteria
  • Pregnant and lactating mothers.
  • Metastatic breast cancer. (stage IV).
  • Patients are currently using beta-blockers and phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors.
  • Patients who require chronic use of aspirin or chronic use of corticosteroids (≥3 months).
  • Patients who are diagnosed with heart failure, myocardial infarction, stable angina, cardiogenic shock, hypovolemia, or previous coronary revascularization.
  • Previously treated with anthracyclines.
  • Previous gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcer, or perforation.
  • Severe hepatic impairment (ALT, AST ≥ 5 upper limit normal), or diagnosed with clinical evidence of hepatic ascites, encephalopathy, variceal bleeding, decompensated cirrhosis, and acute hepatitis.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: STANDARD CARE

DOX protocol AC regimen (doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 intravenous every 21 days, cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 intravenous every 21 days for 4 cycles).
Drug: Adriamycin (Doxorubicin)

AC regimen (doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 intravenous every 21 days, cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 intravenous every 21 days for 4 cycles).

Other Names:
  • DOX
  • AC-T PROTCOL
Experimental: Treatment

NIC ( 5-10 mg per day ) + DOX protcol
Drug: Adriamycin (Doxorubicin)

AC regimen (doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 intravenous every 21 days, cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 intravenous every 21 days for 4 cycles).

Other Names:
  • DOX
  • AC-T PROTCOL
Drug: Nicorandil Oral Tablet

drug

Other Names:
  • NIC

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
To evaluate the effect of nicorandil on left ventricular ejection fraction in breast cancer patients receiving doxorubicin.
Time Frame: before the treatment initiation, at the 3rd and the 6th months of the treatment initiation

Elevation or maintenance of Ejection fraction percentage (EF %) using echocardiogram
before the treatment initiation, at the 3rd and the 6th months of the treatment initiation
To evaluate the safety of nicorandil
Time Frame: before the treatment initiation, at the 3rd and the 6th months of the treatment initiation

possible hypotension (mmhg)
before the treatment initiation, at the 3rd and the 6th months of the treatment initiation

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
To assess patients' quality of life
Time Frame: From enrollment, at the 3rd and the 6th months of the treatment

using the modified EORTC QLQ-BR42, where 100 is the best quality and 0 is the worst.
From enrollment, at the 3rd and the 6th months of the treatment
To determine the effect of nicorandil on global longitudinal strain in breast cancer patients receiving doxorubicin.
Time Frame: From enrollment and at the 3rd and the 6th months of treatment

by using echogradiogram in %
From enrollment and at the 3rd and the 6th months of treatment
To evaluate the cost-utility of nicorandil as a cardioprotective agent against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.
Time Frame: at the treatment initiation, the 3rd and the 6th months of the treament

using the QALY unit
at the treatment initiation, the 3rd and the 6th months of the treament
To assess the effect of nicorandil on cardiac biomarkers
Time Frame: at the treatment initiation, at the 3rd and 6th months of the treament

by assessing, including cardiac troponin ng/ml
at the treatment initiation, at the 3rd and 6th months of the treament

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Universiti Sains Malaysia

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Noha S Abdelaziz, PhD, Universiti Sains Malaysia
  • Principal Investigator: Sabariah N H, Ass.Prof, Universiti Sains Malaysia
  • Principal Investigator: Ayman A G, Prof, National Cancer Institute (NCI)
  • Principal Investigator: Nur H Md, lecturer, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
December 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
June 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
September 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
October 3, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
October 22, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
October 27, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
November 3, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
November 1, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
November 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • NIC in DOX Cardiotoxicity

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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