Ketorolac for Ovarian Cancer

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: New Mexico Cancer Research Alliance

Must not be taking: NSAIDs, Anticoagulants

Disqualifiers: Non-epithelial cancer, Uncontrolled conditions, others

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 3 days

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether ketorolac, a common anti-inflammatory drug, can effectively target certain cancer cell activities in ovarian cancer. The goal is to determine if ketorolac can inhibit specific cell processes involved in cancer growth, beyond its effects related to surgery. Participants will receive either ketorolac or a placebo to compare results. This trial is suitable for women awaiting surgery who have been diagnosed with or are suspected of having ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, and have no known issues with NSAIDs or bleeding disorders. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research that could lead to new treatment strategies.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot use ketorolac or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) within 7 days before surgery and up to the time of planned study administration.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that ketorolac, a common pain reliever, is generally safe for managing pain. However, it can sometimes cause side effects like stomach bleeding and kidney problems, especially in older adults. In studies with ovarian cancer patients, those who received ketorolac during surgery often lived longer without their cancer worsening compared to those who did not receive it. While these findings are encouraging, they focus on ketorolac's effectiveness rather than its safety. It's important to remember that ketorolac is usually well-tolerated, but like any medication, it carries potential risks. Joining a clinical trial involves considering both the benefits and risks, so discussing these with a healthcare provider is crucial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike the standard chemotherapy and targeted therapies typically used for ovarian cancer, ketorolac is an anti-inflammatory drug that researchers are repurposing to potentially improve cancer outcomes. Ketorolac is unique because it targets inflammation, a process that can fuel cancer growth, and it may help slow down the disease by inhibiting enzymes involved in this process. Researchers are excited about ketorolac's potential to work quickly and its established safety profile, which could make it a promising addition to existing treatments.

What evidence suggests that ketorolac might be an effective treatment for ovarian cancer?

Research shows that ketorolac, a type of pain reliever, might help treat ovarian cancer. Studies have found that ketorolac can block certain proteins in ovarian cancer cells, potentially slowing the cancer's growth and improving patient outcomes. In this trial, some participants will receive ketorolac post-operatively, while others will receive a placebo. One study found that patients who received ketorolac during surgery had better survival rates and longer periods without cancer progression compared to those who did not receive it. These findings suggest that ketorolac could be a promising treatment option for ovarian cancer. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Carolyn Y. Muller

Principal Investigator

University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for women over 18 with suspected or confirmed ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are undergoing surgery. They must be in good health otherwise, with no active bleeding, known bleeding disorders, peptic ulcers, allergies to NSAIDs like ibuprofen, and not taking other NSAIDs or anticoagulants around the time of surgery.

Inclusion Criteria

I am suspected to have ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer and am planning to undergo surgery to remove it.

My blood tests show enough neutrophils and platelets.

I do not have any known bleeding disorders.

Exclusion Criteria

You are allergic to NSAIDs.

My cancer is not ovarian but has spread to the ovaries.

My health conditions are stable and under control.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-3 weeks

Post-operative stabilization

Participants are monitored post-surgery until deemed stable for treatment initiation

1-3 days

Treatment

Participants receive age-based ketorolac or placebo daily for three days

3 days

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics

4 weeks

Regular visits for toxicity and pharmacokinetics assessment

Long-term follow-up

Participants are monitored for overall survival and progression-free survival

Up to 5 years

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Ketorolac

Trial Overview

The study tests if Ketorolac (a painkiller) can inhibit certain cellular activities linked to ovarian cancer growth when given after surgery. Patients will either receive Ketorolac or a placebo to see if there's a difference between the two groups.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Ketorolac Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Once deemed stable in the first 1-3 post-operative days, patients will be receive age-based ketorolac (30 mg \<65, 15mg \> 65) daily for three days

Group II: Placebo Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Once deemed stable in the first 1-3 post-operative days, patients will be receive placebo daily for three days

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

New Mexico Cancer Research Alliance

Lead Sponsor

Trials

71

Recruited

52,500+

New Mexico Cancer Care Alliance

Lead Sponsor

Trials

71

Recruited

52,500+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Docetaxel has shown comparable effectiveness to paclitaxel when combined with carboplatin for treating advanced ovarian cancer, with a potentially better safety profile.

Current treatments for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer are limited, and while some experimental therapies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor show promise, more research is needed to find effective new treatments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[New aspects by the therapy of ovarian cancer--What changes after the ASCO-Meeting 2001]. Costa, SD., von Minckwitz, G., Wernicke, K., et al.[2008]

Ketorolac tromethamine is an effective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for managing moderate to severe postoperative pain, reducing the need for opioid analgesics, which can help minimize opioid-related side effects.

Administered intramuscularly, ketorolac reaches peak plasma levels in about 45 to 50 minutes and has a low incidence of side effects, making it a promising option for both inpatient and outpatient pain management, although further research is needed to fully understand its role.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ketorolac: a new parenteral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for postoperative pain management. Lassen, K., Epstein-Stiles, M., Olsson, GL.[2013]

In a study involving 51 patients with moderate to severe cancer pain, ketorolac tromethamine and morphine showed no significant difference in overall analgesic efficacy, indicating that ketorolac can be an effective alternative for pain management.

While 57% of patients on ketorolac and 74% on morphine changed their analgesic, significantly more patients discontinued ketorolac due to inadequate pain relief, whereas more patients stopped morphine due to side effects like nausea, suggesting ketorolac has a favorable safety profile.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparative-study of intramuscular ketorolac tromethamine and morphine in patients experiencing cancer pain. Jameel, A., Stein, R., Rawson, N., et al.[2019]

In a case study of three patients treated with ketorolac tromethamine, two developed acute renal failure or hyperkalemia, highlighting the potential renal risks associated with this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

The complications were reversible in two patients after stopping the medication, emphasizing the importance of monitoring renal function in patients at risk when using ketorolac, as it can affect prostaglandin synthesis and renal vasodilation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Renal failure and hyperkalemia associated with ketorolac tromethamine. Pearce, CJ., Gonzalez, FM., Wallin, JD.[2022]

In a study involving 200 patients undergoing photorefractive keratectomy, topical ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% was found to provide significantly greater pain relief compared to its vehicle, with patients experiencing less pain intensity and a longer time before needing additional pain medication.

The ketorolac group also reported fewer side effects, such as sleep difficulties and ocular discomfort, and overall, the treatment was deemed safe with minimal adverse events, indicating its efficacy and safety for post-surgery pain management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Analgesic efficacy and safety of ketorolac after photorefractive keratectomy. Ketorolac Study Group. Rajpal, RK., Cooperman, BB.[2022]

In a multicenter study involving patients with moderate to severe inflammation after cataract surgery, ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% was significantly more effective than a placebo in reducing inflammation and associated symptoms like pain and photophobia.

The treatment was found to be safe, with no significant differences in visual acuity or adverse events compared to the placebo, indicating that ketorolac is a reliable option for managing post-surgical inflammation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% ophthalmic solution in the treatment of moderate to severe ocular inflammation after cataract surgery: a randomized, vehicle-controlled clinical trial. Heier, J., Cheetham, JK., Degryse, R., et al.[2019]

Docetaxel combined with carboplatin is a feasible and tolerable first-line treatment option for newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian cancer, showing no significant difference in progression-free or overall survival compared to the traditional paclitaxel and carboplatin combination in a study of 1,077 patients.

While docetaxel was associated with more myelosuppression, it resulted in fewer cases of neuropathy compared to paclitaxel, leading to better quality-of-life outcomes for patients receiving docetaxel.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Role of docetaxel in the treatment of newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer. Vasey, PA.[2018]

Patients with recurrent ovarian cancer are categorized as either platinum-sensitive or platinum-resistant, which influences treatment options; platinum-sensitive patients often benefit from re-treatment with paclitaxel/platinum combinations, while platinum-resistant patients may receive single-agent therapies like altretamine or topotecan.

For platinum-sensitive patients with minimal residual disease, intensive intraperitoneal therapy with cisplatin and paclitaxel shows the most promise for long-term disease-free survival, highlighting the importance of tailored treatment strategies based on disease characteristics.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment of refractory and recurrent ovarian cancer. Alberts, DS.[2005]

In a study involving 176 postoperative patients, ketorolac (10 mg orally) provided analgesic efficacy comparable to both 5 mg and 10 mg doses of morphine, significantly outperforming placebo.

Ketorolac is a safe and effective option for managing acute postoperative pain, serving as a non-opioid alternative to traditional opioid therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of ketorolac in the management of postoperative pain. DeAndrade, JR., Maslanka, M., Maneatis, T., et al.[2022]

Ketorolac tromethamine is an effective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic that can be used alone or with opiates for postoperative pain relief, showing promising results compared to morphine sulfate.

Unlike narcotic pain relievers, ketorolac does not cause respiratory depression or nausea, making it a safer option for patients, especially those with respiratory issues or those undergoing short procedures.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ketorolac tromethamine: an oral/injectable nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory for postoperative pain control. Redden, RJ.[2019]

In a retrospective study of breast surgery patients over three years, ketorolac did not significantly increase the risk of postoperative hematoma formation, with rates of 3.5% in those receiving ketorolac compared to 2.5% in those who did not.

The overall hematoma rate for the entire cohort was 2.8%, suggesting that ketorolac can be safely used for postoperative pain control without raising concerns about bleeding complications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Toradol following Breast Surgery: Is There an Increased Risk of Hematoma? Nguyen, BN., Barta, RJ., Stewart, CE., et al.[2021]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6721416/

Dual Actions of Ketorolac in Metastatic Ovarian Cancer - PMC

These preclinical findings suggest that R-ketorolac may have beneficial actions in human ovarian cancer that could account for improved patient outcomes ...

2.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10971204/

Intraoperative Ketorolac and Outcomes after Ovarian Cancer ...

Both progression-free survival and overall survival were superior in patients who received an intraoperative injection of ketorolac.

3.

aacrjournals.org

aacrjournals.org/clincancerres/article/21/22/5064/79047/A-Novel-Pharmacologic-Activity-of-Ketorolac-for

A Novel Pharmacologic Activity of Ketorolac for Therapeutic ...

In this study, we report that R-ketorolac achieved an effective concentration in peritoneal fluids and inhibited Rac1 and Cdc42 activity in cells retrieved from ...

4.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1048891X24037903

Comparisons of Surgical Outcomes, Complications, and ...

The purpose of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes, complications, and costs between laparoscopic staging and laparotomic staging for early-stage ...

5.

withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/phase-fallopian-tube-neoplasms-9-2015-483ea

Ketorolac for Ovarian Cancer · Info for Participants

In a study involving 51 patients with moderate to severe cancer pain, ketorolac tromethamine and morphine showed no significant difference in overall analgesic ...

6.

maps.cancer.gov

maps.cancer.gov/overview/DCCPSGrants/abstract.jsp?applId=10543498&term=CA236789

A Population Based Study of Ketorolac and Ovarian Cancer ...

We hypothesize that ovarian cancer cases that are given ketorolac as an analgesic during ovarian cancer surgery will have better overall survival than those who ...