Auricular Point Stimulation With Dexamethasone vs Standard Anti-nausea Medications for Docetaxel‑Cyclophosphamide Therapy
Official title: Auricular Point Stimulation Plus Dexamethasone Versus Standard Antiemetic Regimen for Nausea and Vomiting Caused by Docetaxel Combined With Cyclophosphamide in Breast Cancer Adjuvant Chemotherapy
Run by Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine · NCT07716176 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether adding ear acupuncture-like stimulation to dexamethasone can match or be as effective as standard antiemetic drugs for preventing nausea and vomiting in people receiving the docetaxel–cyclophosphamide chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 74 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, cyclophosphamide |
| Locations | 1 site (Hangzhou) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 12, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 6, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 12, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | July 21, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07716176 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults 18–85 with breast cancer scheduled for postoperative docetaxel–cyclophosphamide chemotherapy and adequate organ function.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who do not respond to either approach or who have contraindications to dexamethasone or auricular stimulation may not experience benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a Phase 3 trial comparing an auricular point stimulation plus dexamethasone approach to the usual antiemetic regimen for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. It includes adults with breast cancer treated with postoperative docetaxel–cyclophosphamide and assesses not only nausea and vomiting but also appetite, GI function, and quality of life. The design is non-inferiority, aiming to see if the alternative approach provides similar protection with potentially fewer GI side effects. Primary safety and efficacy outcomes focus on CINV control, with secondary measures on tolerability and patient-reported experience. Conducted at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, the trial investigates integrating traditional Chinese medicine techniques with conventional pharmacotherapy to optimize supportive care during chemotherapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience similar control of nausea and vomiting with a potentially better GI function and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in CINV have explored complementary approaches; this trial tests a non-inferiority comparison in a specific chemo regimen, which is relatively novel for this combination.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients must meet the following inclusion criteria for the study:\* Age ≥ 18 years and ≤ 85 years\* After a radical mastectomy, further postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel combined with cyclophosphamide regimen is required.\* ECOG performance status score of 0-2.\* Normal hematological function (platelet count \> 80×10⁹/L; white blood cell count \> 3×10⁹/L; neutrophil count \> 1.5×10⁹/L).\* Serum bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), and transaminase ≤ 5 times the ULN.\* No ascites, no gastrointestinal obstruction, normal coagulation function, and serum albumin ≥ 30g/L.\* Child-Pugh classification of liver function is Grade A.\* Serum creatinine \< ULN, or calculated creatinine clearance rate \> 50ml/min. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who meet any of the following criteria will be excluded from the study: \* Local inflammation or infection of the auricle\* Bleeding tendency or coagulation disorders\* Severe ascites\* Gastrointestinal obstruction\* Hypertensive crisis or hypertensive encephalopathy\* Severe uncontrolled systemic complications such as infection or diabetes mellitus\* Clinically severe cardiovascular diseases, including cerebrovascular accident (within 6 months before enrollment), myocardial infarction (within 6 months before enrollment), hypertension that is not well-controlled despite appropriate medication, unstable angina pectoris, congestive heart failure (NYHA Class 2-4), and cardiac arrhythmias requiring drug treatment\* A history of or physical examination findings indicating central nervous system diseases (e.g., primary brain tumor, epilepsy uncontrolled by standard treatment, any history of brain metastasis or stroke)\* Hypersensitivity to any drugs used in the study\* Pregnant or lactating women\* Presence of any other diseases, functional impairment caused by metastatic lesions, or suspicious disorders identified during physical examination, which suggest contraindications to the study drugs or place the patient at high risk of treatment-related complications\* Inability or unwillingness to comply with the study protocol.
Where it's running
-
Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine
Hangzhou, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Juan Wang
- Email: wangjuan.happy@hotmail.com
- Phone: 8617816190946
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.