Cooling treatment to prevent nerve damage from chemotherapy

Hilotherapy for Prevention of Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Polyneuropathy - a Unicentric, Prospective-controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial for Comparison of Local Hilotherapy Vs. No Therapy to Prevent Peripheral Polyneuropathy During Taxan-based Chemotherapy Regimen

NA · University of Ulm · NCT06627348

This study is testing if a cooling treatment for the hands and feet can help women undergoing chemotherapy for breast and gynecological cancers avoid nerve damage.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment150 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorUniversity of Ulm (other)
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Ulm, Baden-Wurttemberg)
Trial IDNCT06627348 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This trial investigates the use of hilotherapy, a cooling treatment for the hands and feet, to prevent chemotherapy-induced peripheral polyneuropathy in women undergoing Taxan-based chemotherapy for breast and gynecological cancers. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the cooling treatment or standard care without cooling during their chemotherapy sessions. The study will assess the occurrence and severity of peripheral neuropathy through neurological examinations and quality of life questionnaires at various points during and after treatment.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are women aged 18 and older with breast or genital cancers who are about to start Taxan-based chemotherapy.

Not a fit: Patients with pre-existing peripheral neuropathy or those who have previously received Taxan- or carboplatin-based chemotherapy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the incidence and severity of nerve damage caused by chemotherapy, improving patients' quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of cooling therapies in chemotherapy is explored, this specific approach with hilotherapy is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in this context.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Written consent for participation in this trail
* Age ≥18 years
* Female
* Breast or genital cancer of the woman
* Planned application of a Taxan-based chemotherapy regimen (Paclitaxel, Nab-Paclitaxel, Docetaxel) independent of the therapy line
* Taxan- and Platin-naivity
* Sufficient knowledge of the German language to assure an adequat survey of patient's history

Exclusion Criteria:

* pre-existing peripheral polyneuropathy
* chemotherapy with taxan- and/or carboplatin-based regimens in a preceding therapy
* Existence of one of the following diseases: Diabetes mellitus (of any type), neurological diseases that are involving peripheral nerve damage (e.g. Multiple Sclerosis, Amytrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease), chronic pain syndrome, Cryoglobulinemia, cold hemagglutination, cold hives / cold contact hives, Raynaud's disease, significant peripheral artery disease,
* Lack of knowledge of German
* Males

Where this trial is running

Ulm, Baden-Wurttemberg

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Equipment and Supplies, Chemo-induced Peripheral Polyneuropathy, Taxan, Hilotherapy

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.