Vitamin E and Pentoxifylline in Treating Women With Lymphedema After Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer

November 5, 2013 updated by: Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomised Trial Of Alpha-Tocopherol And Oxpentifylline In Patients With Radiation Fibrosis

RATIONALE: Vitamin E and pentoxifylline may be effective in decreasing lymphedema in women who have received radiation therapy for breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Randomized phase II trial to determine the effectiveness of combining vitamin E and pentoxifylline in treating women who have lymphedema after receiving radiation therapy for breast cancer.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the effects of vitamin E and pentoxifylline on lymphedema in patients previously treated with radiotherapy for breast cancer. II. Compare the normal tissue injury and quality of life in patients treated with this regimen vs placebo.

OUTLINE: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients are randomized to one of two treatment arms. Arm I: Patients receive oral vitamin E and oral pentoxifylline twice daily for 6 months. Arm II: Patients receive oral placebo twice daily for 6 months. Quality of life is assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Patients are followed at 6 and 12 months.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 100 patients (50 per treatment arm) will be accrued for this study.

Study Type

Interventional

Phase

  • 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 Locations

    • England
      • Sutton, England, United Kingdom, SM2 5PT
        • Royal Marsden Hospital

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

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Prior diagnosis of breast cancer T1-3, N0-1, M0 Prior radiotherapy to breast/chest wall plus axilla and/or supraclavicular fossa At least 2 years since prior radiotherapy No disease recurrence Arm lymphedema due to prior radiotherapy Reduced shoulder movement, induration in breast/chest wall, radiation-induced brachial plexopathy, symptomatic lung fibrosis, or non-healing wounds (including fractures) allowed as evidence of disability in addition to arm lymphedema Hormone receptor status: Not specified

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Sex: Female or male Menopausal status: Not specified Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: No liver failure Renal: No renal failure Cardiovascular: No ischemic heart disease No hypertension No hypotension No acute myocardial infarction No prior cerebral hemorrhage No prior retinal hemorrhage Other: Not pregnant Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No allergy to coconut oil

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: Not specified Endocrine therapy: No concurrent insulin Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Surgery: No prior axillary surgery Lower axillary sampling allowed Other: At least 3 months since prior daily vitamin E supplementation of more than 30 mg/day No prior pentoxifylline after radiotherapy No concurrent ketorolac or vitamin K No other concurrent vitamin E supplementation

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: Supportive Care

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Investigators

  • Study Chair: John R. Yarnold, MD, FRCR, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

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.

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

January 1, 2000

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 10, 2001

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 3, 2004

First Posted (Estimate)

February 4, 2004

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

November 6, 2013

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 5, 2013

Last Verified

May 1, 2007

More Information

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.

Clinical Trials on Breast Cancer

Clinical Trials on quality-of-life assessment

Subscribe