Examining pain sensitivity in cancer therapy patients
Psychophysical Studies of Cancer Therapy-Induced Pain: A Feasibility Study
This study is testing how cancer treatment affects pain sensitivity in patients by comparing their responses to different sensations with those of healthy individuals.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 450 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Houston, Texas) |
| Trial ID | NCT00515060 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to assess the psychophysical properties of neuropathic pain resulting from cancer therapy using quantitative sensory testing. Participants will undergo a series of sensory tests to evaluate their pain thresholds and responses to various stimuli. The study will include both patients experiencing therapy-induced pain and healthy controls, with the goal of understanding nerve function impairment related to chemotherapy. Skin biopsies may also be performed to investigate nerve damage in affected areas.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older who have developed pain from specific cancer therapies or are about to start chemotherapy.
Not a fit: Patients who are unable to participate due to refusal, incapacity, or those receiving anticoagulants, immunosuppressed, or diabetic may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to better understanding and management of pain in cancer patients undergoing therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies utilizing sensory testing for pain assessment have shown promise, indicating that this approach is both relevant and potentially beneficial.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Since moderate pain, albeit brief, will be induced, this feasibility project will be limited to consenting adults, 18 years old or older, in which there is also a well established QST database. 2. The subjects must be able to understand the nature of the study and have signed consent. 3. The patients must either: a) have pain that has developed as a consequence of cancer therapy with either vinca alkaloids, taxanes, bortezomib, thalidomide, platinum-based compounds or ionizing irradiation. OR b) have no pain that has developed as a consequence of cancer therapy, and are just entering chemotherapy with taxanes, vinka alkaloids, bortezomib, thalidomide, or platinum-based compounds 4. (For Healthy Controls) Willing to participate and have signed an informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients who refuse to participate or who are determined incapable of completing the research. 2. (For Healthy Controls) Receiving anti-coagulants, immunosuppressed or diabetic.
Where this trial is running
Houston, Texas
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center — Houston, Texas, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Patrick M. Dougherty, PhD — M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Patrick M. Dougherty, PhD
- Email: pdougherty@mdanderson.org
- Phone: 713-745-0438
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.