Doxepin Hydrochloride in Treating Oral Mucositis Pain in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Radiation Therapy With or Without Chemotherapy

A Randomized Double-Blind Study of Doxepin Rinse Versus Placebo in the Treatment of Acute Oral Mucositis Pain in Patients Receiving Radiotherapy With or Without Chemotherapy

RATIONALE: Doxepin hydrochloride may be an effective treatment for oral mucositis pain in patients undergoing radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying doxepin hydrochloride to see how well it works compared to placebo in treating oral mucositis pain in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to gender, concurrent radiosensitizing chemotherapy (yes vs no), and age (< 60 years vs ≥ 60 years). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms.

  • Arm I: Patients receive doxepin hydrochloride oral rinse (swish, gargle, and spit)* over 1 minute on day 1. Patients may crossover to arm II on day 2.
  • Arm II: Patients receive placebo oral rinse (swish, gargle, and spit)* over 1 minute on day 1.

Patients may crossover to arm I on day 2. The primary and secondary objectives are detailed below.

Primary Objective:

Determine whether doxepin oral rinse is effective in reducing OM-related pain in patients undergoing RT to the oral cavity, as measured by a patient-reported questionnaire at 5,15, 30, 60, 120 and 240 minutes

Secondary Objectives:

  1. Assess the adverse event profile of doxepin rinse using a patient-reported questionnaire at 5, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 240 minutes for domains of unpleasant taste, burning or stinging discomfort, and drowsiness.
  2. Compare the incidence of using alternative analgesics before 4 hours, between the doxepin oral rinse and placebo arms.
  3. Assess patient preference for continued therapy with oral rinse after initial test rinse or after the cross-over phase.

NOTE: * Patients are instructed to avoid taking medications for mucositis pain 60 minutes before and after study medication.

After completing study therapy, patients have the option to receive doxepin hydrochloride oral rinse every 4 hours as needed during radiotherapy.

Patients complete questionnaires at baseline, and at 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 minutes after study medication. Patients who choose to continue doxepin hydrochloride oral rinse also complete weekly questionnaires.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

155

Phase

  • Phase 3

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

    • Arizona
      • Scottsdale, Arizona, United States, 85259-5499
        • Mayo Clinic Scottsdale
    • Connecticut
      • Hartford, Connecticut, United States, 06105
        • Saint Francis/Mount Sinai Regional Cancer Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center
    • Florida
      • Jacksonville, Florida, United States, 32224
        • Mayo Clinic - Jacksonville
    • Georgia
      • Augusta, Georgia, United States, 30912
        • MBCCOP - Medical College of Georgia Cancer Center
    • Idaho
      • Boise, Idaho, United States, 83706
        • Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Center at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center
    • Illinois
      • Urbana, Illinois, United States, 61801
        • CCOP - Carle Cancer Center
    • Indiana
      • Elkhart, Indiana, United States, 46515
        • Elkhart General Hospital
      • Elkhart, Indiana, United States, 46514-2098
        • Elkhart Clinic, LLC
      • Elkhart, Indiana, United States, 46514
        • Michiana Hematology-Oncology, PC - Elkhart
      • Kokomo, Indiana, United States, 46904
        • Howard Community Hospital
      • La Porte, Indiana, United States, 46350
        • Center for Cancer Therapy at LaPorte Hospital and Health Services
      • La Porte, Indiana, United States, 46350
        • Indiana University Health La Porte Hospital
      • Mishawaka, Indiana, United States, 46545
        • Michiana Hematology Oncology PC-Mishawaka
      • Mishawaka, Indiana, United States, 46545-1470
        • Michiana Hematology-Oncology, PC - South Bend
      • Mishawaka, Indiana, United States, 46545-1470
        • Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center
      • Plymouth, Indiana, United States, 46563
        • Michiana Hematology Oncology PC - Plymouth
      • South Bend, Indiana, United States, 46601
        • Memorial Hospital of South Bend
      • South Bend, Indiana, United States, 46601
        • CCOP - Northern Indiana CR Consortium
      • Westville, Indiana, United States, 46391
        • Michiana Hematology Oncology PC - La Porte
    • Iowa
      • Ames, Iowa, United States, 50010
        • McFarland Clinic, PC
      • Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States, 52403
        • Cedar Rapids Oncology Associates
      • Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States, 52403
        • Mercy Regional Cancer Center at Mercy Medical Center
    • Massachusetts
      • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02118
        • Boston University Cancer Research Center
    • Michigan
      • Adrian, Michigan, United States, 49221
        • Hickman Cancer Center at Bixby Medical Center
      • Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48106-0995
        • Saint Joseph Mercy Cancer Center
      • Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48106
        • CCOP - Michigan Cancer Research Consortium
      • Battle Creek, Michigan, United States, 49017
        • Battle Creek Health System Cancer Care Center
      • Big Rapids, Michigan, United States, 49307
        • Mecosta County Medical Center
      • Dearborn, Michigan, United States, 48123-2500
        • Oakwood Cancer Center at Oakwood Hospital and Medical Center
      • Detroit, Michigan, United States, 48236
        • Saint John Hospital and Medical Center
      • Flint, Michigan, United States, 48503
        • Hurley Medical Center
      • Flint, Michigan, United States, 48503
        • Genesys Hurley Cancer Institute
      • Grand Blanc, Michigan, United States, 48439
        • Genesys Regional Medical Center
      • Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, 49503
        • Butterworth Hospital at Spectrum Health
      • Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, 49503
        • CCOP - Grand Rapids
      • Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, 49503
        • Lacks Cancer Center at Saint Mary's Health Care
      • Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, United States, 48236
        • Van Elslander Cancer Center at St. John Hospital and Medical Center
      • Jackson, Michigan, United States, 49201
        • Allegiance Health
      • Jackson, Michigan, United States, 49201
        • Foote Memorial Hospital
      • Lansing, Michigan, United States, 48912-1811
        • Sparrow Regional Cancer Center
      • Livonia, Michigan, United States, 48154
        • St. Mary Mercy Hospital
      • Monroe, Michigan, United States, 48162
        • Community Cancer Center of Monroe
      • Monroe, Michigan, United States, 48162
        • Mercy Memorial Hospital - Monroe
      • Muskegon, Michigan, United States, 49444
        • Mercy General Health Partners
      • Pontiac, Michigan, United States, 48341-2985
        • St. Joseph Mercy Oakland
      • Port Huron, Michigan, United States, 48060
        • Mercy Regional Cancer Center at Mercy Hospital
      • Saginaw, Michigan, United States, 48601
        • Seton Cancer Institute at Saint Mary's - Saginaw
      • Saint Joseph, Michigan, United States, 49085
        • Marie Yeager Cancer Center
      • Saint Joseph, Michigan, United States, 49085
        • Lakeside Cancer Specialists, PLLC
      • Saint Joseph, Michigan, United States, 49085
        • Lakeland Regional Cancer Care Center - St. Joseph
      • Traverse City, Michigan, United States, 49684
        • Munson Medical Center
      • Warren, Michigan, United States, 48093
        • St. John Macomb Hospital
    • Minnesota
      • Bemidji, Minnesota, United States, 56601
        • Sanford Clinic North-Bemidgi
      • Bemidji, Minnesota, United States, 56601
        • MeritCare Bemidji
      • Burnsville, Minnesota, United States, 55337
        • Fairview Ridges Hospital
      • Coon Rapids, Minnesota, United States, 55433
        • Mercy and Unity Cancer Center at Mercy Hospital
      • Edina, Minnesota, United States, 55435
        • Fairview Southdale Hospital
      • Fridley, Minnesota, United States, 55432
        • Mercy and Unity Cancer Center at Unity Hospital
      • Hutchinson, Minnesota, United States, 55350
        • Hutchinson Area Health Care
      • Maplewood, Minnesota, United States, 55109
        • HealthEast Cancer Care at St. John's Hospital
      • Maplewood, Minnesota, United States, 55109
        • Minnesota Oncology - Maplewood
      • Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55407
        • Virginia Piper Cancer Institute at Abbott - Northwestern Hospital
      • Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55415
        • Hennepin County Medical Center - Minneapolis
      • New Ulm, Minnesota, United States, 56073
        • New Ulm Medical Center
      • Robbinsdale, Minnesota, United States, 55422-2900
        • Humphrey Cancer Center at North Memorial Outpatient Center
      • Rochester, Minnesota, United States, 55905
        • Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
      • Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, United States, 55416
        • CCOP - Metro-Minnesota
      • Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, United States, 55416
        • Park Nicollet Cancer Center
      • Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States, 55102
        • United Hospital
      • Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States, 55101
        • Regions Hospital Cancer Care Center
      • Shakopee, Minnesota, United States, 55379
        • St. Francis Cancer Center at St. Francis Medical Center
      • Stillwater, Minnesota, United States, 55082
        • Lakeview Hospital
      • Waconia, Minnesota, United States, 55387
        • Ridgeview Medical Center
      • Willmar, Minnesota, United States, 56201
        • Willmar Cancer Center at Rice Memorial Hospital
      • Woodbury, Minnesota, United States, 55125
        • Minnesota Oncology - Woodbury
    • Nebraska
      • Lincoln, Nebraska, United States, 68510
        • Cancer Resource Center - Lincoln
      • Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68106
        • CCOP - Missouri Valley Cancer Consortium
      • Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68122
        • Immanuel Medical Center
      • Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68124
        • Alegant Health Cancer Center at Bergan Mercy Medical Center
      • Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68131-2197
        • Creighton University Medical Center
      • Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68130
        • Lakeside Hospital
    • North Dakota
      • Fargo, North Dakota, United States, 58102
        • Sanford Clinic North-Fargo
      • Fargo, North Dakota, United States, 58122
        • Sanford Medical Center-Fargo
      • Fargo, North Dakota, United States, 58122
        • CCOP - MeritCare Hospital
      • Fargo, North Dakota, United States, 58102
        • MeritCare Broadway
      • Fargo, North Dakota, United States, 58122
        • Roger Maris Cancer Center at MeritCare Hospital
      • Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States, 58201
        • Altru Cancer Center at Altru Hospital
    • Ohio
      • Bowling Green, Ohio, United States, 43402
        • Wood County Oncology Center
      • Elyria, Ohio, United States, 44035
        • Community Cancer Center
      • Elyria, Ohio, United States, 44035
        • Hematology Oncology Center
      • Lima, Ohio, United States, 45804
        • Lima Memorial Hospital
      • Maumee, Ohio, United States, 43537-1839
        • Northwest Ohio Oncology Center
      • Oregon, Ohio, United States, 43616
        • St. Charles Mercy Hospital
      • Oregon, Ohio, United States, 43616
        • Toledo Clinic - Oregon
      • Sylvania, Ohio, United States, 43560
        • Flower Hospital Cancer Center
      • Tiffin, Ohio, United States, 44883
        • Mercy Hospital of Tiffin
      • Toledo, Ohio, United States, 43608
        • St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center
      • Toledo, Ohio, United States, 43606
        • Toledo Hospital
      • Toledo, Ohio, United States, 43614
        • Medical University of Ohio Cancer Center
      • Toledo, Ohio, United States, 43617
        • CCOP - Toledo Community Hospital
      • Toledo, Ohio, United States, 43623
        • Toledo Clinic, Incorporated - Main Clinic
      • Toledo, Ohio, United States, 43623
        • St. Anne Mercy Hospital
      • Wauseon, Ohio, United States, 43567
        • Fulton County Health Center
    • Virginia
      • Fredericksburg, Virginia, United States, 22401
        • Fredericksburg Oncology, Incorporated
    • Wisconsin
      • Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, United States, 54729
        • Marshfield Clinic - Chippewa Center
      • Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States, 54701
        • Center for Cancer Treatment & Prevention at Sacred Heart Hospital
      • Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States, 54701
        • Marshfield Clinic Cancer Care at Regional Cancer Center
      • Ladysmith, Wisconsin, United States, 54848
        • Marshfield Clinic - Ladysmith Center
      • Marshfield, Wisconsin, United States, 54449
        • Saint Joseph's Hospital
      • Marshfield, Wisconsin, United States, 54449
        • Marshfield Clinic - Marshfield Center
      • Minocqua, Wisconsin, United States, 54548
        • Marshfield Clinic - Lakeland Center
      • Rhinelander, Wisconsin, United States, 54501
        • Ministry Medical Group at Saint Mary's Hospital
      • Rice Lake, Wisconsin, United States, 54868
        • Marshfield Clinic - Indianhead Center
      • Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States, 54481
        • Marshfield Clinic at Saint Michael's Hospital
      • Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States, 54481
        • Saint Michael's Hospital Cancer Center
      • Wausau, Wisconsin, United States, 54401
        • Marshfield Clinic - Wausau Center
      • Weston, Wisconsin, United States, 54476
        • Diagnostic and Treatment Center
      • Weston, Wisconsin, United States, 54476
        • Marshfield Clinic - Weston Center
      • Weston, Wisconsin, United States, 54476
        • Ministry Saint Clare's Hospital
      • Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, United States, 54494
        • Marshfield Clinic - Wisconsin Rapids Center

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

14 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. ≥ 18 years of age
  2. Histologic proof of malignancy currently undergoing a course of RT (with or without chemotherapy) to a dose of ≥ 5000 cGy using 1.60 to 2.20 Gy per fraction. Note: At least one third of the oral cavity mucosa must be included in the radiation therapy fields.
  3. ≥ 4 oral pain felt to be related to mucositis for which the patient wants relief as measured by the Numeric Measure of Oral Pain. Note: An oral exam confirming the presence of mucositis should be performed by the enrolling clinician in addition to patient feedback.
  4. Ability to complete questionnaire(s) independently or with assistance
  5. ECOG Performance Status 0, 1 or 2.
  6. Provide informed written consent.
  7. Willingness to return to enrolling institution for follow-up.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Known allergy to doxepin, tricyclic antidepressants, or any known component of the drug formulation
  2. Use of a tricyclic antidepressant or monoamine oxidase inhibitor within the 2 weeks prior to registration
  3. Current untreated or unresolved oral candidiasis or oral HSV infection
  4. Current untreated narrow angle glaucoma
  5. Current untreated urinary retention ≤ 6 weeks prior to registration
  6. Co-morbid systemic illnesses or other severe concurrent disease which, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for entry into this study or interfere significantly with the proper assessment of safety and toxicity of the prescribed regimens
  7. Any of the following because this study involves a study agent whose genotoxic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects on the developing fetus and newborn are unknown:

    • Pregnant women
    • Nursing women
    • Men or women of childbearing potential who are unwilling to employ adequate contraception

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
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Arm I
Patients receive doxepin hydrochloride oral rinse (swish, gargle, and spit) over 1 minute on day 1. Patients may crossover to arm II on day 2.
Oral rinse
Placebo Comparator: Arm II
Patients receive placebo oral rinse (swish, gargle, and spit) over 1 minute on day 1. Patients may crossover to arm I on day 2.
Oral rinse

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Total Pain Reduction (Mouth and Throat)
Time Frame: Baseline and Day 1
The total pain reduction will be calculated by the (average of mouth and throat) area under the curve (AUC) adjusting for baseline, with time scale replaced by a numerical scale of 1,2,3,4,5,6. The numerical scale will be used rather than the raw time scale in order to give proper weights to more immediate patient-reported mouth pain outcomes after treatment. The AUC will be calculated by proration when there are terminal missing data. If the missing data are intermittent, simple imputation will be applied to calculate the AUC. The question ('On a scale from 0 to 10, what number best describes your MOUTH PAIN due to your radiation treatment now?') used 11-point numerical analog scales (0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable or possible) scores) to measure pain. The AUCs for the two treatment arms were compared by using the Wilcoxon rank sum test with 95% CIs.
Baseline and Day 1

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Total Taste of the Oral Rinse
Time Frame: Up to 9 days
The total taste of the oral rinse will be calculated by the area under the curve (AUC) adjusting for baseline, with time scale replaced by a numerical scale of 1,2,3,4,5,6 , and analyzed in the same way as the primary endpoint. The numerical scale will be used rather than the raw time scale in order to give proper weights to more immediate patient-reported mouth pain outcomes after treatment. The AUC will be calculated by proration when there are terminal missing data. If the missing data are intermittent, simple imputation will be applied to calculate the AUC. The question ('On a scale from 0 to 10, what number best describes the TASTE OF THE ORAL RINSE now?') used 11-point numerical analog scales (0 (acceptable taste) to 10(terrible taste), with higher values representing worse outcome) to evaluate the total taste of the oral rinse. The AUCs for the two treatment arms were compared by using the Wilcoxon rank sum test with 95% CIs.
Up to 9 days
Total Stinging or Burning From the Oral Rinse
Time Frame: Up to 9 days
The total stinging or burning from the oral rinse will be calculated by the area under the curve (AUC) adjusting for baseline, with time scale replaced by a numerical scale of 1,2,3,4,5,6. The numerical scale will be used rather than the raw time scale in order to give proper weights to more immediate patient-reported mouth pain outcomes after treatment. The AUC will be calculated by proration when there are terminal missing data. If the missing data are intermittent, simple imputation will be applied to calculate the AUC. The question ('On a scale from 0 to 10, what number best describes any STINGING OR BURNING FROM THE ORAL RINSE now?') used 11-point numerical analog scales (0 (no stinging or burning) to 10 (worst stinging or burning possible) scores) to total stinging or burning from the oral rinse. The AUCs for the two treatment arms were compared by using the Wilcoxon rank sum test with 95% CIs.The statistical analysis will be the same as the primary analysis.
Up to 9 days
Total Drowsiness Increase
Time Frame: Up to 9 days
The total drowsiness increase will be calculated by the area under the curve (AUC) adjusting for baseline, with time scale replaced by a numerical scale of 1,2,3,4,5,6. The numerical scale will be used rather than the raw time scale in order to give proper weights to more immediate patient-reported mouth pain outcomes after treatment. The AUC will be calculated by proration when there are terminal missing data. If the missing data are intermittent, simple imputation will be applied to calculate the AUC. The question ('On a scale from 0 to 10, what number best describes your DROWSINESS now?') used 11-point numerical analog scales (0 (no drowsiness) to 10 (extreme drowsiness, leading to sleep) scores) to measure total drowsiness increase. The AUCs for the two treatment arms were compared by using the Wilcoxon rank sum test with 95% CIs. The statistical analysis will be the same as the primary analysis.
Up to 9 days
Incidence of Using Alternative Analgesics Between 2 and 4 Hours After the Initial Mouthwash
Time Frame: Up to 9 days
The incidence of utilizing additional analgesics between 2 and 4 hours after the initial mouthwash will be compared between the arms by the Chi-square test .
Up to 9 days
Patient Preference for Continuing Therapy With Oral Doxepin Hydrochloride
Time Frame: Up to 9 days
After each dose was administered, patients were asked if they would like to continue rinses with that particular agent. The percentage of patients who expressed an interest in continuing therapy are reported below.
Up to 9 days

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Robert C. Miller, MD, Mayo Clinic

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

December 1, 2010

Primary Completion (Actual)

May 1, 2012

Study Completion (Actual)

March 2, 2015

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 1, 2010

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 1, 2010

First Posted (Estimate)

July 2, 2010

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 9, 2017

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 11, 2017

Last Verified

July 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • NCCTG-N09C6
  • NCI-2011-02049 (Registry Identifier: CTRP (Clinical Trials Reporting System))
  • CDR0000675520 (Registry Identifier: PDQ (Physician Data Query))
  • U10CA037404 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

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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