Active clinical trials for "Mucositis"

Patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy/conditioning prior to stem cell transplantation (SCT) are at high risk for developing painful lesions in the oral cavity, known as oral mucositis (OM). In this high risk adult population, the study objectives are to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of Gelclair® (GEL; an FDA cleared medical device indicated for the management of painful oral lesions) and ideal timing of initiation of therapy (at the time of conditioning or after mild OM is diagnosed) for the management of oral mucositis (OM), relative to a commercially available compounded mouth wash (First® Mouthwash BLM "Magic Mouth Wash"; MMW) initiated after mild OM is diagnosed. The study may be adapted based on an interim analysis and recommendations of the interim data review committee.

RATIONALE: Glutamine may be effective in decreasing side effects, such as inflammation of the mouth and throat, caused by radiation therapy. The effectiveness of glutamine for mucositis is not yet known. PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to determine the effectiveness of glutamine in treating patients who develop mucositis following radiation therapy for newly diagnosed cancer of the mouth or throat.

This study is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of cleaning around implants that hold a full denture in the mouth. Different oral hygiene protocols will be compared. Areas to measure are gum tissue color and consistency, bleeding and cleanliness. A questionnaire will be provided at the end of the study. This is a proof of concept study.

RATIONALE: Growth factors, such as palifermin, may lessen the severity of mucositis, or mouth sores, in patients receiving radiation therapy and chemotherapy for head and neck cancer. It is not yet known whether palifermin is more effective than a placebo in lessening mucositis in patients receiving radiation therapy and chemotherapy for head and neck cancer. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying palifermin to see how well it works compared to a placebo in lessening oral mucositis in patients undergoing radiation therapy and chemotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer.

This study is being performed to evaluate the effectiveness of a new drug, clonidine HCl MBT, to prevent the onset of severe oral mucositis (SOM) in patients with oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) who are being treated with chemoradiotherapy. OPC occurs on the back of the tongue or throat and is often treated by the use of chemoradiotherapy, where radiation is localized to these areas. Radiation to the OPC affected tissues causes the release of small proteins called cytokines that cause damage to the area surrounding the tumor including the oral cavity. This damage is characterized by the formation of mucositis which includes redness, pain and ulcers in the mouth and back of the throat. In addition, as more chemoradiation is administered to treat OPC, the inability to eat a solid diet (a Grade 3 mucositis) or to consume anything at all by mouth (a Grade 4 mucositis) occurs in many patients. Collectively, Grade 3 and Grade 4 mucositis is referred to as SOM. It is a frequent, debilitating side effect of chemoradiation in OPC that may cause patients to stop or interrupt their treatment, develop other side effects like the inability to swallow, or require the increased use of pain medications. OPC survivors who have successful treatment of their tumors often develop permanent swallowing, speaking and range of motion issues that may be linked back to the inability to eat and/or drink caused by SOM during their chemoradiotherapy treatment. Clonidine may inhibit the production of cytokines that cause SOM and clonidine HCl mucoadhesive buccal tablet (MBT) has been designed to deliver sustained high levels of clonidine in the oral cavity, potentially decreasing cytokine production and leading to a decrease in the incidence of SOM. Clonidine HCl MBT is a once per day treatment provided as a tablet that a patient may self-administer to the gums, where it sticks tightly to release clonidine over many hours. The primary objective of this Phase 2b/3 study is to evaluate whether clonidine HCl MBT is more effective than placebo MBT in decreasing the incidence of SOM.

Patients are asked to be in this study if have oropharyngeal cancer and will be treated with chemotherapy and radiation. This research is being done to find out if acupuncture can reduce the mouth inflammation and pain caused by chemotherapy and radiation. Chemoradiation may cause mouth inflammation and pain. Acupuncture is a medical technique of inserting very thin needles into the "energy points" on the body with the aim to restore health and well-being. It has been used widely to treat pain, such as lower back pain and joint pain. In this study we will assess the potential usefulness of acupuncture to decrease the severity of mucositis and mucositis-related mouth and throat pain in patients receiving chemoradiation for oropharyngeal cancer. Mouth cancer patients receiving chemoradiation who have not had acupuncture within the last one month and who do not have a history of head and neck cancer may join this pilot study.

This randomized phase II trial is studying how well selenomethionine (SLM) works in reducing mucositis in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer who are receiving cisplatin and radiation therapy. SLM may help prevent or reduce mucositis, or mouth sores, in patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It is not yet known whether SLM is more effective than a placebo in reducing mucositis

The purpose of this study is to determine if applying the drug phenylephrine to the inside of the mouth can be done safely and is tolerable to use in cancer patients receiving radiation to the Sub-mandibular lymph nodes.

This pilot randomized phase II trial studies who well chlorine dioxide sterilization works in reducing oral mucositis in patients with stage I-IV head and neck cancer who are undergoing radiotherapy. Chlorine dioxide sterilization may help to treat oral mucositis.

Oral mucositis is a common complication of cancer therapy. Mucositis results from damage to the mucosal epithelium after delivery of chemotherapy or radiation treatments designed to treat the cancer. A number of treatment factors have been shown to influence the incidence and severity of mucositis, including chemotherapy type and dosage. High-dose chemotherapy before stem cell transplantation can cause severe oral mucositis and is often the side effect that patients find the most difficult to endure. Cryotherapy, keeping ice chips in the mouth during chemotherapy infusion, has been shown to prevent or alleviate mucositis caused by high-dose melphalan alone or given in combinations used in pre-transplant conditioning. One other drug notorious for causing severe mucositis is etoposide (VP-16). The specific aims of the study are: 1) to assess tolerability of cryotherapy given during chemotherapy administration; 2) to determine the efficacy of cryotherapy in reducing etoposide-induced mucositis.