Amifostine to Protect the Rectum During External Beam Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer

NCT00040365 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: PHASE2 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2012-04-30

Study results available
· View outcomes & findings →

Summary

This study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a drug called amifostine in reducing the bowel side effects of radiation treatment for prostate cancer. Amifostine is a 'radioprotector' medicine that to protects normal tissue from radiation damage. This study will determine whether placing amifostine in the rectum during radiation treatment for prostate cancer can decrease common side effects of treatment, including diarrhea, painful bowel movements, bleeding, and gas.

Patients 18 years of age or older with prostate cancer may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history and physical examination, blood tests, bone scan if a recent one is not available, and possibly computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the pelvis. They will also have a liquid retention test, in which they are given an enema of 4 tablespoons of salt water that they must retain for 20 minutes.

Participants will receive standard radiation therapy for prostate cancer-5 consecutive days for 8 weeks-in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Radiation Oncology Clinic. Amifostine will be placed in the rectum by a mini-enema before each radiation treatment so that it covers the lining of the rectum. To determine the side effects of the treatment, patients will undergo a proctoscopic examination before beginning radiation therapy, two times during therapy, and at each follow-up visit for 5 years after treatment ends. This examination involves inserting a proctoscope (a thin flexible tube with a light at the end) into the rectum and taking pictures.

Patients will be followed in the clinic at visits scheduled 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months after treatment for a physical examination and routine blood tests, proctoscopic examination, and review of bowel symptoms.

Conditions

  • Prostatic Neoplasms

Interventions

DRUG

Amifostine trihydrate

1000 mg for the first 18 patients. 2000 mg for the last 12 patients. The syringe of amifostine will be connected to a rectal enema bottle for administration. Administered slowly over 30-60 seconds with the patient in recumbent position 30-45 minutes prior to each radiation treatment (33-39 doses).

RADIATION

Radiation therapy

The treatment will be delivered in at least two phases. The first field reduction will occur after 46Gy and the second field reduction will occur after 70Gy.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • National Cancer Institute (NCI)

    lead NIH

Principal Investigators

  • Kevin A camphausen, M.D. · National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Study Design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
MALE
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2002-06-30
Primary Completion
2010-05-31
Completion
2011-06-30

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT00040365 on ClinicalTrials.gov