Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase IIB Trial of Ketorolac Mouth Rinse Evaluating the Effect of Cyclooxygenase Inhibition on Oropharyngeal Leukoplakia: Collaborative Study of the NCI, NIDCD and the NIDCR
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00001698 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : November 4, 1999
Last Update Posted : March 4, 2008
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In Phase II trials, treatment with ketorolac tromethamine oral rinse has been shown to block periodontal disease progression even in the absence of standard clinical intervention such as scaling and root planing which is routinely done to reduce the periodontal pathogen load that is driving the local destructive host inflammatory response. Resolution of periodontal disease has a favorable effect on normalizing the cellular and biochemical indices of inflammation as reflected by histological changes as well as the levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interleukin I beta (IL-1beta). In this trial, we will prospectively evaluate if eliminating the inflammatory process (via inhibition of PGE2 biosynthesis) in the oral cavity has a favorable impact on reversing oropharyngeal leukoplakia. To test this hypothesis, up to 57 prospectively identified individuals with objective findings of oropharyngeal leukoplakia will be randomized to receive either a mouth rinse containing ketorolac or placebo. Ketorolac is a 7-fold selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), which has been designed for local delivery to maximize the drug exposure to critical oral target tissues while minimizing gastric and systemic exposure to the drug. All responses will be determined at the three month completion of trial using the response criteria developed at MD Anderson Cancer Center. The drug will be given for three months and then all the patients will be followed for one additional month off all oral treatment to observe for late side effects. Based on the analysis of oral exam and photographically documented change in the pretreatment area of leukoplakia, the response of all patients will be determined.
The evaluation of the outcome will include a measurable secondary endpoint consisting of an assessment of histological change as determined by serial punch biopsies of the oral cavity. In addition, a panel of carcinogenesis and inflammatory markers will be serially measured at baseline, at one month follow up or at study conclusion. In the residual tissue, other bioassays will be evaluated to determine their suitability as intermediate endpoint markers. The purpose of this study is a preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of ketorolac as a potential chemoprevention agent for oropharyngeal cancer. If ketorolac administration in this preliminary Phase IIB trial is associated with reversal of leukoplakia, then a definitive Phase III chemoprevention trial with a cancer reduction endpoint (most likely in a cooperative group-type setting) may be the next validation step.
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Leukoplakia Periodontal Disease | Drug: Ketorolac Rinse | Phase 2 |
In Phase II trials, treatment with ketorolac tromethamine oral rinse has been shown to block periodontal disease progression even in the absence of standard clinical intervention such as scaling and root planing which is routinely done to reduce the periodontal pathogen load that is driving the local destructive host inflammatory response. Resolution of periodontal disease has a favorable effect on normalizing the cellular and biochemical indices of inflammation as reflected by histological changes as well as the levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interleukin I beta (IL-1beta). In this trial, we will prospectively evaluate if eliminating the inflammatory process (via inhibition of PGE2 biosynthesis) in the oral cavity has a favorable impact on reversing oropharyngeal leukoplakia. To test this hypothesis, up to 57 prospectively identified individuals with objective findings of oropharyngeal leukoplakia will be randomized to receive either a mouth rinse containing ketorolac or placebo. Ketorolac is a 7-fold selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), which has been designed for local delivery to maximize the drug exposure to critical oral target tissues while minimizing gastric and systemic exposure to the drug. All responses will be determined at the three month completion of trial using the response criteria developed at MD Anderson Cancer Center. The drug will be given for three months and then all the patients will be followed for one additional month off all oral treatment to observe for late side effects. Based on the analysis of oral exam and photographically documented change in the pretreatment area of leukoplakia, the response of all patients will be determined.
The evaluation of the outcome will include a measurable secondary endpoint consisting of an assessment of histological change as determined by serial punch biopsies of the oral cavity. In addition, a panel of carcinogenesis and inflammatory markers will be serially measured at baseline, at one month follow up or at study conclusion. In the residual tissue, other bioassays will be evaluated to determine their suitability as intermediate endpoint markers. The purpose of this study is a preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of ketorolac as a potential chemoprevention agent for oropharyngeal cancer. If ketorolac administration in this preliminary Phase IIB trial is associated with reversal of leukoplakia, then a definitive Phase III chemoprevention trial with a cancer reduction endpoint (most likely in a cooperative group-type setting) may be the next validation step.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Enrollment : | 57 participants |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase IIB Trial of Ketorolac Mouth Rinse Evaluating the Effect of Cyclooxygenase Inhibition on Oropharyngeal Leukoplakia: Collaborative Study of the NCI, NIDCD and the NIDCR |
Study Start Date : | June 1998 |
Study Completion Date : | June 2004 |


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Ages Eligible for Study: | Child, Adult, Older Adult |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Patients must have objective evidence of oral leukoplakia. This includes subjects who have had a previous diagnosis of head and neck or oral cancer, who are currently free of evidence of known cancer for at least three months.
Patients must have bidimensionally measurable lesions.
Patients must consent to serial photography and biopsy to document response to treatment.
All patients old enough to give their own informed consent (greater than or equal to 18 years old) are eligible.
Subjects must be excellent performance status (Performance Status 0-1).
In addition, they must be otherwise medically fit in the opinion of the PI with no other uncontrolled medical conditions.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Patients with a hypersensitivity to aspirin, lidocaine or non-steroid anti-inflammatory agents or retinoids will be ineligible.
Patients using antibiotics, steroids, NSAID, aspirin, probenecid or antihistamines for an extended regimen of at least 10 or more consecutive days, or any immunosuppressants, anticoagulants, dilantin, lithium, methotrexate, phenothiazines, investigational drugs with pharmacological activity that could compromise the test product safety during the 30 days immediately preceding the first treatment visit.
Patients with serious or debilitating oral conditions that require extensive dental procedures in order to safely participate in this trial. This trial does not envision the need to do dental procedures (such as root canal or gingival procedure) in order to allow a potential participant to enroll on this study.
Individuals with a social or psychiatric situation interfering with study compliance or an unwillingness to undergo the serial oral biopsies will be excluded.
Patients with compromised respiratory function manifested by shortness of breath with mild exertion or dependency on supplemental oxygen.
Patients with compromised cardiovascular status including poorly controlled angina or congestive heart failure.
ELIGIBILITY FOR ORAL IMAGING SUBSTUDY:
Participation in this substudy requires that patients be enrolled in the parent trial.
Subjects must have given their consent and signed supplemental informed consent for the pilot study involving oral imaging.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00001698
United States, Maryland | |
National Cancer Institute (NCI) | |
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892 |
Publications:
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00001698 History of Changes |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
980118 98-C-0118 |
First Posted: | November 4, 1999 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | March 4, 2008 |
Last Verified: | June 2004 |
Keywords provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):
Chemoprevention Direct Epithelial Delivery Tobacco-induced Cancer Field Cancerization |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Periodontal Diseases Mouth Diseases Stomatognathic Diseases Precancerous Conditions Pathological Conditions, Anatomical Leukoplakia Neoplasms Ketorolac Ketorolac Tromethamine Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal |
Analgesics, Non-Narcotic Analgesics Sensory System Agents Peripheral Nervous System Agents Physiological Effects of Drugs Anti-Inflammatory Agents Antirheumatic Agents Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors Enzyme Inhibitors Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action |