35 Participants Needed

Steroid Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer-Related Cranial Neuropathy

KA
Overseen ByKatherine A Hutcheson
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Phase 1 & 2
Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Must be taking: Steroids
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This phase I/II trial studies the side effect and best dose of steroid therapy (prednisone or methylprednisolone) in improving symptoms of late radiation-associated lower cranial neuropathy in oropharyngeal cancer survivors. Steroid therapy with prednisone or methylprednisolone may help to improve symptoms associated with late radiation-associated lower cranial neuropathy.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Is steroid therapy generally safe for humans?

Steroid therapy, including drugs like methylprednisolone, has been studied for various conditions and is generally considered safe for humans. Common side effects observed in studies include facial flushing, headache, and facial swelling, but no severe safety concerns were reported.12345

How does the drug Methylprednisolone, Prednisone differ from other treatments for head and neck cancer-related cranial neuropathy?

This drug is unique because it involves the use of steroids, which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, and may help reduce symptoms by decreasing inflammation around nerves. While there are no standard treatments specifically for head and neck cancer-related cranial neuropathy, steroids like Methylprednisolone and Prednisone have shown effectiveness in other neuropathic and inflammatory conditions, suggesting potential benefits for this condition.12467

Research Team

KA

Katherine A Hutcheson, BA,MS,PHD

Principal Investigator

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adult survivors of oropharyngeal cancer who are disease-free, treated with radiotherapy at least 2 years ago, and suffering from late radiation-associated lower cranial neuropathy. Participants must be able to complete a symptom survey in one of several languages and return for post-therapy assessment. Those with uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, psychosis, gastrointestinal ulcers, bipolar disorder or pregnant women cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

I finished my radiotherapy at least 2 years ago and have been monitored since.
I am an adult who has recovered from throat cancer.
I have nerve damage in my lower skull not caused by cancer.
See 6 more

Exclusion Criteria

I have a throat blockage that hasn't been treated or didn't respond to treatment.
You have a history of experiencing severe mental health issues like hallucinations or delusions.
I have a diagnosed stomach or intestinal ulcer.
See 4 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Patients receive prednisone orally or by feeding tube once daily on days 1-5 and then taper off over 2 weeks or methylprednisolone intravenously over 1 hour on days 1-5

3 weeks
5 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with assessments of patient-reported outcomes and imaging studies

Up to 3 years

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Methylprednisolone
  • Prednisone
Trial OverviewThe trial is testing high doses of steroid therapy (either Prednisone or Methylprednisolone) to see if they can improve symptoms caused by nerve damage after radiation treatment in throat cancer survivors. It's designed to find the best dose that reduces these symptoms effectively.
Participant Groups
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Supportive care (steroid therapy)Experimental Treatment4 Interventions
Patients receive prednisone PO (or by feeding tube) QD on days 1-5 and then taper off over 2 weeks or methylprednisolone IV over 1 hour on days 1-5 in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Methylprednisolone is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

🇺🇸
Approved in United States as Medrol for:
  • Allergic reactions
  • Blood disorders
  • Cancer
  • Eye diseases
  • Immune system disorders
  • Inflammatory diseases
  • Respiratory diseases
  • Skin diseases
🇪🇺
Approved in European Union as Depo-Medrol for:
  • Allergic reactions
  • Blood disorders
  • Cancer
  • Eye diseases
  • Immune system disorders
  • Inflammatory diseases
  • Respiratory diseases
  • Skin diseases
🇨🇦
Approved in Canada as Solu-Medrol for:
  • Allergic reactions
  • Blood disorders
  • Cancer
  • Eye diseases
  • Immune system disorders
  • Inflammatory diseases
  • Respiratory diseases
  • Skin diseases

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials
3,107
Recruited
1,813,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials
14,080
Recruited
41,180,000+

Findings from Research

In a study of 56 chemotherapy-naive patients, both 250 mg and 500 mg doses of methylprednisolone succinate provided similar antiemetic effects, with 79% and 69% of patients experiencing complete or major protection from vomiting during two treatment courses, respectively.
The study found no significant differences in side effects or patient preference between the two doses, with common side effects including facial flushing (45%), headache (22%), and facial edema (18%).
A double-blind randomized crossover study to compare the antiemetic efficacy of 250 mg with 500 mg methylprednisolone succinate (Solu-Medrol) as a single intravenous dose in patients treated with noncisplatin chemotherapy.Pieters, RC., Vermorken, JB., Gall, HE., et al.[2018]
In a study involving 310 patients undergoing surgery for cerebellopontine angle tumors, corticosteroids administered during and after surgery did not improve facial function outcomes, as measured by the House and Brackmann grading scale, at 1, 8, and 30 days post-operation.
The study included both small and large tumors and was conducted as a multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial, indicating a robust design; however, the use of corticosteroids did not show any significant benefit in preventing facial palsy after tumor resection.
Effect of corticosteroids on facial function after cerebellopontine angle tumor removal: a double-blind study versus placebo.Bozorg Grayeli, A., Ferrary, E., Tubach, F., et al.[2015]
Methylprednisolone (MP) did not significantly improve nerve healing in facial paralysis caused by nerve section or herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, indicating limited efficacy in these models.
However, MP treatment showed a reduction in edema and less axonal and myelin degeneration in cases of facial paralysis due to nerve compression, suggesting it may have some beneficial effects in that specific injury type.
The effect of methylprednisolone on facial nerve paralysis with different etiologies.Yildirim, MA., Karlidag, T., Akpolat, N., et al.[2018]

References

A double-blind randomized crossover study to compare the antiemetic efficacy of 250 mg with 500 mg methylprednisolone succinate (Solu-Medrol) as a single intravenous dose in patients treated with noncisplatin chemotherapy. [2018]
Effect of corticosteroids on facial function after cerebellopontine angle tumor removal: a double-blind study versus placebo. [2015]
The effect of methylprednisolone on facial nerve paralysis with different etiologies. [2018]
Efficacy of steroid therapy based on symptomatic and functional improvement in patients with vestibular neuritis: a prospective randomized controlled trial. [2018]
[Therapeutic trial with corticosteroid for auditory neuropathy]. [2013]
Steroid is effective for vestibular neuritis, valacyclovir is not. [2004]
Steroid-dependent sensorineural hearing loss in a patient with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease showing auditory neuropathy. [2015]