TASTY training to improve taste and smell for people taking tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Taste and Smell Training in Patients With Cancer Who Are Treated With Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: a Multicentre Randomized Intervention Trial
This trial tests whether a 12-week at-home taste and smell training program helps adults who developed taste changes after starting tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 90 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Medical Center Groningen Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | prednisone |
| Locations | 11 sites (Amsterdam and 10 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07258589 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This multicentre, non-blinded, cluster-randomised trial is being run at 12 hospitals in the Netherlands with each hospital randomised to either the training or control arm to avoid cross-contamination. Participants complete baseline measurements and repeat testing after 12 weeks; questionnaires are filled in online while taste and smell tests and saliva samples are collected at home or during routine hospital visits. The intervention arm performs a structured at-home taste and smell training program for 12 weeks, while the control arm receives usual care. Dietitians contact participants in both arms and support adherence and data collection.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–70 who are starting or planning to continue tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment for the next 12 weeks, who have developed taste changes since starting treatment, can eat solid foods, and meet basic nutrition and oral health criteria are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with pre-existing taste or smell disorders, prior head and neck radiotherapy, those receiving tube or parenteral feeding, pregnant people, or those on chronic high-dose steroids or already in a similar trial are unlikely to benefit or are excluded.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the training could reduce taste alterations, help people eat better, and improve nutritional status and quality of life during TKI treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Smell-training has shown benefit in post-infectious smell loss, but structured taste-training for drug-induced taste changes is less studied and evidence is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 and ≤70 years * Intention of being treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors for next 12 weeks. * Experiencing taste alterations after starting treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors * Consuming solid foods and drinks is possible * ≤50% of recommended daily intake in kcal consisting of oral nutritional supplements * Oral mucositis grade ≤2 (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0) * Ability to comply with all protocol-required actions * Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy * History of taste, smell, or saliva production dysfunction before treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors * Previous or current radiotherapy of head and neck region * Enteral feeding through tube or parenteral feeding * Participation in another clinical trial aimed at preventing or treating taste and/or smell alterations * Chronic (\>1 month) high dose corticosteroids (\>10 mg prednisone/day or equivalent)
Where this trial is running
Amsterdam and 10 other locations
- Amsterdam UMC — Amsterdam, Netherlands (Recruiting)
- Rijnstate Ziekenhuis — Arnhem, Netherlands (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Van Weel-Bethesda Ziekenhuis — Dirksland, Netherlands (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Ziekenhuisvoorzieningen Gelderse Vallei — Ede, Netherlands (Recruiting)
- University Medical Center Groningen — Groningen, Netherlands (Recruiting)
- Martini Ziekenhuis — Groningen, Netherlands (Recruiting)
- Radboud University medical Center — Nijmegen, Netherlands (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Ikazia Ziekenhuis — Rotterdam, Netherlands (Recruiting)
- Ommelander Ziekenhuis Groningen — Scheemda, Netherlands (Recruiting)
- Maxima Medisch Centrum — Veldhoven, Netherlands (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Isala Klinieken — Zwolle, Netherlands (Not_yet_recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: J. J.A. de Haan, MD, PhD — University Medical Center Groningen
- Study coordinator: J. J.A. de Haan, MD, PhD
- Email: j.j.de.haan@umcg.nl
- Phone: +31 50 361 2821
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.