Clonidine HCl MBT vs. Placebo to Prevent Chemoradiotherapy-Induced Severe Oral Mucositis in Oropharyngeal Cancer.
brief summary
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.
detailed description
This is a sequential design Phase 2b/3 multicenter, randomized (1:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study to compare the efficacy and safety of clonidine HCl MBT to placebo MBT in the prevention of severe oral mucositis (SOM) in patients with oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) undergoing chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Best supportive care (BSC) will be allowed as per individual institutional practice with some exceptions as described in the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eligible patients will be randomized to receive either clonidine MBT or placebo. Patients will be centrally randomized in a 1:1 ratio. The randomization will be stratified by p16 status (positive or negative). Randomized patients will be required to self-apply the study drug to the gum once a day in addition to BSC. The first application of MBT study drug will be performed on Day 1 of the CRT regimen. Each site will require the patient to follow the same local practice for BSC per Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO) guidelines with some exceptions as described in the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Daily, self-administered MBT study drug will be continued once daily for the entire duration of CRT treatment; defined as from Day 1 of CRT until the last day of CRT (anticipated to be approximately 4-8 weeks depending on the patient's prescribed CRT plan). Patients will be recruited sequentially into either the Phase 2b or the Phase 3 part of the study. An interim analysis will be conducted when Phase 2b patients have either completed their CRT or discontinued from the study. The Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) will review the Phase 2b efficacy and safety data at the interim analysis and will make a recommendation on proceeding with the Phase 3 part of the study.
official title
A Phase 2b/3, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Clonidine Mucoadhesive Buccal Tablet to Placebo to Prevent Chemoradiotherapy-induced Severe Oral Mucositis in Patients With Oropharyngeal Cancer