Aromatherapy for Breast and Prostate Cancer

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: OHSU Knight Cancer Institute

Must not be taking: Immune-modulating therapies

Disqualifiers: Asthma, Allergy to citrus, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether aromatherapy, a complementary therapy using essential oils, can boost the immune system in individuals with stage I-III breast or prostate cancer who recently completed chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The trial uses essential oils, with or without virtual reality, to simulate the calming effects of a forest, aiming to improve natural killer cells, which help fight infections and cancer. It is ideal for those diagnosed with breast or prostate cancer within the last 12 months who cannot engage in outdoor activities. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative therapies that may enhance well-being.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are on immune-modulating therapies, you may not be eligible to participate.

What prior data suggests that aromatherapy with essential oils is safe for cancer patients?

Research shows that using essential oils in aromatherapy is generally safe for cancer patients. Studies have found that these oils can help reduce anxiety, stress, and nausea, and also improve sleep. Strong evidence of harmful effects in these situations is lacking.

Early trials suggest that combining aromatherapy with virtual reality can enhance mental well-being without major side effects. This combination remains under study, but early results are promising for safety.

In summary, both treatments appear safe based on current research. However, individual reactions can vary. Always consult your doctor for personalized advice. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the use of aromatherapy with essential oils and virtual reality for breast and prostate cancer because it offers a novel approach to supportive care. Unlike standard treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy, this method focuses on enhancing the patient's well-being and potentially alleviating stress or discomfort through sensory experiences. The combination of essential oils with virtual reality creates an immersive environment that could improve the overall treatment experience, providing a sense of relaxation and emotional support. This approach is non-invasive and could be a valuable complement to more traditional cancer therapies.

What evidence suggests that aromatherapy could be an effective treatment for breast and prostate cancer?

This trial will compare aromatherapy with essential oils alone to aromatherapy combined with virtual reality. Research has suggested that aromatherapy with essential oils might benefit cancer patients. A review of studies found that single essential oils can improve sleep quality in these patients. Essential oils may also reduce pain and support the immune system.

Combining aromatherapy with virtual reality has shown early promise in enhancing the mental well-being of older adults. Some compounds in essential oils might even fight cancer cells. While aromatherapy appears promising, results can vary, and further research is needed to fully understand its benefits. ^{1 2 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Amy M. Ross, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

OHSU Knight Cancer Institute

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 who were diagnosed with stage I-III hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative breast or prostate cancer within the last year. They must understand and consent to the study, have measurable disease, and no history of autoimmune diseases. Smokers or those with recent infections, surgeries, asthma, allergies to citrus peel or pine forests are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document

My solid tumor can be measured by my doctor.

My breast or prostate cancer is hormone receptor positive and HER2 negative, at Stage I-III.

Exclusion Criteria

I have not had a fever or infection in the last two weeks.

You cannot have asthma because forest oils might make your asthma worse.

I had surgery or an invasive procedure within the last two months.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Simulated Forest Immersion Therapy (SFIT)

Participants engage in simulated forest immersion therapy using humidified wood and fragrance oils over 1 hour on day 1, day 3 or 4, and day 7. Blood samples are collected at baseline, day 3 or 4, and day 7. Interviews are conducted at baseline and post-treatment.

1 week

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, focusing on immune system measures such as NK cell number and activity, and perforin and granulysin levels.

1-2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Aromatherapy with Essential Oils
• Aromatherapy with Essential Oils and Virtual Reality

Trial Overview The study tests if aromatherapy using humidified forest oils can boost immune cells in patients who've completed chemo/radiation therapy for early-stage breast or prostate cancer. It aims to simulate forest therapy indoors for those unable to engage in outdoor activities.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Supportive care (SFIT, biospecimen, interview) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patients participate in SFIT, using humidified wood and fragrance oils, over 1 hour. on day 1, day 3 or 4 and on day 7. Patients also undergo blood sample collection at baseline and on days 3 or 4 and 7 and participate in interviews at baseline and post-treatment.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

OHSU Knight Cancer Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

239

Recruited

2,089,000+

Oregon Health and Science University

Collaborator

Trials

1,024

Recruited

7,420,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9284915/

Aromatherapy with single essential oils can significantly ... This meta-analysis of 10 RCTs reveals that aromatherapy with single essential oil had a substantial effect on the sleep quality of cancer patients.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332221013019

Essential oils as anticancer agents: Potential role in ... EOs enhance antioxidant/anti-mutagenic/anti-proliferative activity on cancer cells. EOs in aromatherapy suppress cancer-associated pain and strengthen immune ...

3. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/24/12738

Anti-Breast Cancer Activity of Essential Oil: A Systematic ... Our findings reveal that the compositions of essential oils, mainly terpenoids, have excellent anti-breast cancer pharmacological effects with an IC50 value of ...

4. cancer.gov cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/aromatherapy-pdq

Aromatherapy With Essential Oils (PDQ®)–Patient Version Studies of aromatherapy have shown mixed results. There have been some reports of improved mood, anxiety, sleep, nausea, and pain. Other studies ...

5. wcrj.net wcrj.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/11/e1576.pdf

Preliminary efficacy of essential oils for improving sleep ... Contrary to the results of this study, the effectiveness of aromatherapy massage on the quality of sleep in women with breast cancer was reported insignificant ...

6. ons.org ons.org/publications-research/voice/news-views/05-2018/how-aromatherapy-essential-oils-may-help-patients

How Aromatherapy With Essential Oils May Help Patients ... Studies in cancer populations indicate that patients exposed to essential oils via inhaler devices had reduced anxiety, stress, and nausea and improved sleep.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4334976/

Exploitation of Cytotoxicity of Some Essential Oils for ... Conversely, no effects were reported when the essential oil was tested on MCF-7 human breast cancer and LNCaP hormone dependent prostate carcinoma cell lines [ ...