A Phase 1 Study of Substance P-Saporin in Terminal Cancer Patients With Intractable Pain
Terminally Ill, Histologically-confirmed Advanced Cancer, Pain, Intractable
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Terminally Ill focused on measuring Terminally ill , histologically-confirmed advanced cancer, Pain unrelieved by opioids
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age ≥ 18 years
- Signed informed consent
- Terminally ill cancer patients with intractable chronic pain in the pelvis, lower abdomen, back, or spine. "Terminal" refers to ≤ six-month life expectancy. "Intractable" is defined as pain uncontrolled with medications or procedures.
- Minimal expected survival time of one month
- ECOG Performance status of 0 - 3
- Able to verbally report pain
- Able to indicate pain on a VAS
- Able to perform motor/sensory tests
- Able to undergo a 4-h intrathecal catheter placement
- Other therapeutic and palliative options have been exhausted
Exclusion Criteria:
- Concurrent therapy with an investigational agent
- Concurrent radiation or chemotherapy
- Pregnancy or failure to use effective contraception in fertile males or females, and breast-feeding females. For all female patients of child-bearing potential, a negative pregnancy test (serum or urine) within ten days before start of the study treatment must be obtained. Female patients must agree to use effective contraception, or must be surgically sterile, or must be postmenopausal. Acceptable forms of birth control are: spermicide with condom, diaphragm, or cervical cap, IUD-intrauterine device, birth control pills, or abstinence. The rhythm method or Plan B are not considered acceptable forms of birth control. Male patients must agree to use effective contraception or be surgically sterile.
- Diagnosis of intractable chronic pain of the chest, head, neck or upper extremities.
- Active infection or ulcer at the lumbar injection site
- Inability to receive lumbar intrathecal injection because of other factors
- Diagnosis of meningitis or encephalitis
- Other severe, acute or chronic medical or psychiatric condition that may increase the risk associated with study participation or, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for the study
- Comorbidities at particular risk (i.e., CNS, CNS metastases, hydrocephalus or coagulopathy)
Sites / Locations
- University of California, San Diego Mores Cancer Center
- UT Southwestern Medical Center Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Experimental
SP-SAP ARM
The first subject will be enrolled in the 1-mcg SP-SAP cohort. A percutaneous intraspinal catheter will be placed at the L5-S1 interspace and the catheter advanced 4-5 cm into the intrathecal space under fluoroscopic guidance. To confirm location, CSF will be aspirated and radioopaque contrast dye injected. 1-mL study drug will be mixed with 1-mL patient CSF fluid and administered intrathecally via the catheter. The catheter will be flushed with 1 mL bolus of saline. Four hours after injection (+15 min), the catheter will be removed and the exit site treated with Neosporin ointment and sterilely dressed. Subjects will be monitored in the recovery room for 4 hours and in the hospital for 24 hours and discharged home. Patients only receive a single IT dose.