Scalp Cooling to Prevent Hair Loss in Patients Undergoing Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma

NCT05961215 | Completed Results DMC FDA Device

• 1 other identifier: IIT2023-03-Vescio-ColdCap
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 31
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This pilot study of scalp cooling with Penguin cold caps will examine the effectiveness of scalp cooling to reduce the development of hair loss in 30 participants with multiple myeloma undergoing high-dose chemotherapy with melphalan and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplant at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The investigators will also assess the potential impact of hair loss versus the discomfort and inconvenience of the scalp cooling procedure.

Conditions

Multiple Myeloma

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Development of Hair Loss

  Change in development of hair loss will be defined as \< 50% hair loss (according to National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAEs) Version 5, Grade 0 or 1) in 75% of patients treated. In CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version 5.0, alopecia is graded based on the extent of hair loss, with two main grades: Grade 1 (hair loss less than 50%, not obvious from a distance) and Grade 2 (hair loss of 50% or more, readily apparent). Grade 1 alopecia may be manageable with different hairstyles, while Grade 2 typically requires a wig or other camouflage if desired. Additionally, Grade 2 alopecia is more likely to impact a patient's quality of life. Grade 0 indicates that there is no alopecia (no hair loss) reported

  Screening (Day 0), Day 30

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Patient Determined Decision of Scalp Cooling Benefit

  Day 90

Study Arms (1)

Penguin Cold Cap

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients will receive Penguin cold cap: 60 minutes prior to melphalan infusion and continue for 5 hours after melphalan infusion start time, for a total of 6 hours, on Days -2 and -1.

Device: Penguin Cold Cap

Interventions

Penguin Cold Cap DEVICE

Penguin cold cap: administered 60 minutes prior to melphalan infusion and continue for 5 hours after melphalan infusion start time, for a total of 6 hours, on Days -2 and -1.

Penguin Cold Cap

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age ≥18 years
• ECOG performance status ≤2
• Confirmed multiple myeloma diagnosis
• Hair covering ≥75% of scalp on physical exam at screening visit
• Planning to undergo SOC high-dose chemotherapy with melphalan (dose to be used = 140 - 200 mg/m2 (with rounding per CSMC guidelines)) followed by an autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplant.
• Written informed consent obtained from subject and ability for subject to comply with the requirements of the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Prior or current use of any scalp cooling treatment
• Hair covering \< 75% of the scalp on physical exam at screening visit.
• Medical History and Concurrent Diseases: Reynaud's disease, Cold sensitivity, Cold agglutinin disease, Cryoglobulinemia, Cryofibrinogenemia
• Current spinal or neck injury that may interfere with the subject's participation for the full duration of the study, in the opinion of the treating investigator
• Skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, malignancy, or other condition on the scalp that might confound the results of the study, interfere with the subject's participation for the full duration of the study, or is not in the best interest of the subject to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator.
• Current use of oxaliplatin
• Current use of any other investigational agents
• Contraindication to melphalan

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: lead
• Penguin Cold Caps: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Los Angeles, California, 90048, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Multiple Myeloma

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neoplasms, Plasma Cell; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms; Hemostatic Disorders; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Paraproteinemias; Blood Protein Disorders; Hematologic Diseases; Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases; Hemorrhagic Disorders; Lymphoproliferative Disorders; Immunoproliferative Disorders; Immune System Diseases

Results Point of Contact

• Title: Robert Vescio, MD
• Organization: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

robert.vescio@cshs.org

3104231825

Study Officials

• Robert Vescio, MD

  Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

• PI is Sponsor Employee: Yes

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Medical Director, Multiple Myeloma and Amyloidosis Program

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 18, 2023
• First Posted: July 27, 2023
• Study Start: August 10, 2023
• Primary Completion: November 1, 2024
• Study Completion: February 3, 2025
• Last Updated: October 27, 2025
• Results First Posted: October 27, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)