NCT01515566

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical research study is to learn if fentanyl given under the skin can reduce shortness of breath in cancer patients. Researchers also want to learn if it can help to improve your physical function. In this study, fentanyl will be compared to a placebo. Fentanyl is commonly used for treatment of cancer pain. It is believed to help patients with their shortness of breath as well. A placebo is not a drug. It looks like the study drug but is not designed to treat any disease or illness. It is designed to be compared with a study drug to learn if the study drug has any real effect.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
26

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for phase_1

Timeline
Completed

Started Apr 2012

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 13, 2012

Completed
11 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 24, 2012

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

April 1, 2012

Completed
1 year until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

April 1, 2013

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

April 1, 2013

Completed
1.4 years until next milestone

Results Posted

Study results publicly available

August 22, 2014

Completed
Last Updated

August 22, 2014

Status Verified

August 1, 2014

Enrollment Period

1 year

First QC Date

January 13, 2012

Results QC Date

August 7, 2014

Last Update Submit

August 7, 2014

Conditions

Keywords

Advanced CancerDyspneaExercise-induced breakthrough dyspneaShortness of breathFentanylSublimazePlaceboNormal salineNSQuestionnairesSurveysWalk test

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Retention Rate

    Retention rate is defined as the percentage of subjects able to complete the study.

    Baseline to study completion, up to 100 minutes.

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Effect of Fentanyl Versus Placebo for Exercise-Induced and Breakthrough Dyspnea

    Baseline to 100 minutes for study participation.

  • Effect of Fentanyl on Walk Distance

    Baseline 6 minute walk test (6MWT) to second 6MWT, up to 100 minutes for study participation.

Study Arms (2)

Fentanyl

EXPERIMENTAL

Fentanyl subcutaneously (SQ) dose equivalent to 15-25% of the morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD) 15 minutes before walk test, and 6 minute walk test (6MWT) at baseline and 15 minutes after Fentanyl. Two (2) Questionnaires completed at baseline taking about 10 minutes to complete, and one completed after study visit taking about 5 minutes to complete.

Drug: FentanylOther: Walking TestsBehavioral: Questionnaires

Placebo

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Normal saline 0.9% preservative free SQ 15 minutes before walk test, and 6 minute walk test at baseline and 15 minutes after Placebo. Two (2) Questionnaires completed at baseline taking about 10 minutes to complete, and one completed after study visit taking about 5 minutes to complete.

Other: PlaceboOther: Walking TestsBehavioral: Questionnaires

Interventions

Fentanyl SQ dose equivalent to 15-25% of the morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD) 15 minutes before 6 minute walk test.

Also known as: Sublimaze
Fentanyl
PlaceboOTHER

Normal saline 0.9% preservative free SQ 15 minutes before walk test.

Placebo

6 minute walk test at baseline and 15 minutes after Fentanyl or Placebo.

FentanylPlacebo
QuestionnairesBEHAVIORAL

Questionnaires completed at baseline (two) and after study visit (one) taking about 5 ot 10 minutes to complete.

Also known as: Surveys
FentanylPlacebo

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Diagnosis of cancer
  • Breakthrough dyspnea, defined in this study as dyspnea on exertion with an average intensity level \>=3/10 on the numeric rating scale
  • Outpatient or inpatient at MD Anderson Cancer Center seen by the Supportive Care or Rehabilitation Service
  • Able to communicate in English or Spanish
  • Ambulatory and able to walk with or without walking aid
  • On strong opioids with morphine equivalent daily dose of 30-580 mg, with stable (i.e. +/- 30%) regular dose over the last 24 hours
  • Karnofsky performance status \>=50%
  • Age 18 or older

You may not qualify if:

  • Dyspnea at rest \>=7/10 at the time of enrollment
  • Supplemental oxygen requirement \>6 L per minute
  • Delirium (i.e. Memorial delirium rating scale \>13)
  • History of unstable angina or myocardial infarction 1 month prior to study enrollment
  • Resting heart rate \>120 at the time of study enrollment
  • Systolic pressure \>180 mmHg or diastolic pressure \>100 mmHg at the time of study enrollment
  • History of active substance abuse within the past 12 months
  • History of allergy to fentanyl
  • Unwilling to provide informed consent

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Hui D, Xu A, Frisbee-Hume S, Chisholm G, Morgado M, Reddy S, Bruera E. Effects of prophylactic subcutaneous fentanyl on exercise-induced breakthrough dyspnea in cancer patients: a preliminary double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2014 Feb;47(2):209-17. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2013.03.017. Epub 2013 Jul 3.

Related Links

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dyspnea

Interventions

FentanylSurveys and Questionnaires

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Respiration DisordersRespiratory Tract DiseasesSigns and Symptoms, RespiratorySigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

PiperidinesHeterocyclic Compounds, 1-RingHeterocyclic CompoundsData CollectionEpidemiologic MethodsInvestigative TechniquesHealth Care Evaluation MechanismsQuality of Health CareHealth Care Quality, Access, and EvaluationPublic HealthEnvironment and Public Health

Limitations and Caveats

The small sample size means findings are susceptible to random errors and regression to the mean.

Results Point of Contact

Title
David Hui, MD, MSc, FRCPC / Asst. Professor, Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine
Organization
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Study Officials

  • David Hui, MD

    UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

PI is Sponsor Employee
Yes

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 1
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE CARE
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 13, 2012

First Posted

January 24, 2012

Study Start

April 1, 2012

Primary Completion

April 1, 2013

Study Completion

April 1, 2013

Last Updated

August 22, 2014

Results First Posted

August 22, 2014

Record last verified: 2014-08

Locations