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Zinc Sulfate in Preventing Loss of Sense of Taste in Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer

This study has been completed.
Sponsor:
Collaborator:
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Information provided by:
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT00036881
First received: May 13, 2002
Last updated: May 9, 2009
Last verified: September 2005
History of Changes
  Purpose

RATIONALE: It is not yet known whether zinc sulfate is effective in preventing the loss of ability to taste food in cancer patients who are undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to determine the effectiveness of zinc sulfate in preventing loss of sense of taste in patients who are undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.


Condition Intervention Phase
Dysgeusia
Head and Neck Cancer
Oral Complications
Radiation Toxicity
 Dietary Supplement: zinc sulfate
 Phase 3

Study Type: Interventional
Study Design: Allocation: Randomized
Masking: Double-Blind
Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Official Title: Phase III Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Comparison Of Zinc Sulfate Versus Placebo For The Prevention Of Altered Taste In Patients With Head And Neck Cancer During Radiation

Resource links provided by NLM:

U.S. FDA Resources

Further study details as provided by National Cancer Institute (NCI):

Primary Outcome Measures:
  • Prolongation of the time to onset of altered taste by zinc sulfate

Secondary Outcome Measures:
  • Incidence of taste alteration

Study Start Date: May 2002
Detailed Description:

OBJECTIVES:

  • Determine whether zinc sulfate prolongs the time to onset of altered taste in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy.
  • Determine whether this drug decreases the overall incidence of altered taste in these patients.
  • Determine whether this drug results in fewer radiotherapy treatment interruptions in these patients.
  • Assess the quality of life of patients treated with this drug.
  • Determine the toxic effects of this drug in these patients.

OUTLINE: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to planned radiotherapy dose (less than 6,000 cGy vs at least 6,000 cGy), estimated amount of oral mucosa in the radiation field (60% or less vs more than 60%), age (under 50 vs 50 and over), concurrent chemotherapy (yes vs no), and smoking (yes vs no). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms.

  • Arm I: Patients receive oral zinc sulfate 3 times daily beginning the first week of radiotherapy.
  • Arm II: Patients receive oral placebo 3 times daily beginning the first week of radiotherapy.

Treatment in both arms continues daily during and for 1 month after radiotherapy in the absence of unacceptable toxicity.

Quality of life is assessed at baseline, weekly during treatment, and then at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after the completion of treatment.

Patients are followed at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after the completion of treatment and then every 6 months for 1 year.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 168 patients (84 per treatment arm) will be accrued for this study.

  Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:   18 Years and older
Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Diagnosis of head and neck cancer
  • No stage I laryngeal cancer
  • Planned treatment with at least 2,000 cGy of external beam radiotherapy to at least 30% of the oral cavity

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

  • 18 and over

Performance status:

  • ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

  • At least 3 months

Hematopoietic:

  • Not specified

Hepatic:

  • Not specified

Renal:

  • Not specified

Gastrointestinal:

  • Able to tolerate oral medication
  • No known mechanical obstruction of the alimentary tract
  • No malabsorption
  • No intractable vomiting (more than 5 episodes per week)

Other:

  • No known intolerance to zinc sulfate
  • No known, untreated oral thrush
  • Not pregnant or nursing
  • Negative pregnancy test
  • Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

  • Not specified

Chemotherapy:

  • Not specified

Endocrine therapy:

  • Not specified

Radiotherapy:

  • See Disease Characteristics

Surgery:

  • No prior surgery that included ablation or removal of the olfactory component of taste

Other:

  • No concurrent zinc supplements

    • Concurrent standard multivitamins allowed
  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00036881

Sponsors and Collaborators
North Central Cancer Treatment Group
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Investigators
Study Chair: Aminah Jatoi, MD Mayo Clinic
  More Information

Additional Information:
Clinical trial summary from the National Cancer Institute's PDQ® database  This link exits the ClinicalTrials.gov site

Publications:
Halyard MY, Jatoi A, Sloan JA, et al.: Does zinc sulfate to prevent radiation-induced taste alterations ("dysgeusia") in head and neck cancer patients? A North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) placebo-controlled trial (N01C4). [Abstract] Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 66 (3 Suppl 1): A-2367, S414, 2006.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00036881     History of Changes
Other Study ID Numbers: CDR0000069337, NCCTG-N01C4, NCI-P02-0224
Study First Received: May 13, 2002
Last Updated: May 9, 2009
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by National Cancer Institute (NCI):
dysgeusia
oral complications
radiation toxicity
stage I lymphoepithelioma of the nasopharynx
stage I squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx
stage II lymphoepithelioma of the nasopharynx
stage II squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx
stage III lymphoepithelioma of the nasopharynx
stage III squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx
stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx
stage IV lymphoepithelioma of the nasopharynx
recurrent lymphoepithelioma of the nasopharynx
recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx
untreated metastatic squamous neck cancer with occult primary
recurrent metastatic squamous neck cancer with occult primary
 recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the lip and oral cavity
stage I squamous cell carcinoma of the lip and oral cavity
stage II squamous cell carcinoma of the lip and oral cavity
stage III squamous cell carcinoma of the lip and oral cavity
stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the lip and oral cavity
recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx
stage I squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx
stage II squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx
stage III squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx
stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx
recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx
recurrent verrucous carcinoma of the larynx
stage II squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx
stage II verrucous carcinoma of the larynx
stage III squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx

Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Dysgeusia
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Radiation Injuries
Taste Disorders
Sensation Disorders
Neurologic Manifestations
Nervous System Diseases
Signs and Symptoms
Neoplasms by Site
Neoplasms
Wounds and Injuries
 Zinc
Zinc Sulfate
Trace Elements
Micronutrients
Growth Substances
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Pharmacologic Actions
Astringents
Dermatologic Agents
Therapeutic Uses

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on May 19, 2013