Exploring the Benefit of Topical Capsaicin in Treating Pain From Chemo-induced Peripheral Neuropathy: a Longitudinal Single Center Pilot Study

Launched by M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER · Dec 19, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at whether a cream containing capsaicin—an ingredient found in chili peppers—can help relieve pain in patients who are experiencing nerve pain in their legs due to chemotherapy, a condition known as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). The study aims to find out if this treatment can not only reduce pain but also improve walking patterns in participants.

To be eligible for this trial, participants need to be adults aged 18 and older who have been diagnosed with lasting pain in their legs from CIPN and have experienced this pain for more than 90 days. They must also have completed chemotherapy within the past year and report a pain level of 4 or higher on a scale from 0 to 10. However, individuals with certain conditions, such as cognitive issues or allergies to capsaicin, will not be able to participate. If you qualify and join the study, you can expect to apply the capsaicin cream regularly and be monitored for any changes in your pain and walking ability over time. This trial is currently not yet recruiting participants.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Participants diagnosed with pain of the lower extremity from chronic (\>90 days duration) CIPN (due to either vinca alkaloids, taxanes, bortezomib, thalidomide, platinum-based compounds), seen at MD Anderson Cancer Center
• • Participants reporting baseline pain ≥ 4 (0-10 scale, NRS)
• • Participants age 18+
• • Participants who have completed chemotherapy within the last year at the time of enrollment.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Participants with cognitive dysfunction
• • Participants with recent history (\<6 months) of drug or alcohol abuse
• • Participants with open skin lesion or undergoing antibiotic therapy for local for systemic infection
• • Participants with allergies to capsaicin or adhesives
• • Pregnant participants