LI-TASTE Study: Light for Taste

Summary

Rationale: In 2020, 115,000 Dutch patients were diagnosed with cancer. Up to 85% of patients treated with radiotherapy involving the head and neck, chemotherapy or stem-celltransplantation (SCT) suffer from taste disorders (dysgeusia). Dysgeusia is one of the most distressing adverse effects of cancer therapy, may be long-lasting and may contribute to malnutrition and decreased QoL. Dysgeusia pathobiology is complex and relates to direct damage to taste buds by anticancer therapies, neuropathy and/or mucosal infection and inflammation. Hyposalivation and concurrent medications may also play a role as well as smoking and poor oral health. Zinc suppletion, clonazepam and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabionol have only limited success. Thus, dysgeusia in cancer patients represents a significant unmet clinical need.

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) using specific wavelengths of red/near infrared light reduces oxidative stress and increases ATP in cells, which improves cell metabolism and reduces inflammation. PBMT is safe and effective for the prevention of oral mucositis and is linked to pain reduction, nerve damage recovery and improved wound healing. There is emerging evidence for PBMT to improve taste, likely based on its regenerative effects on taste buds and nerves involved in taste function. However, there is need for more reliable data on the effect of PBMT on taste. Objective: Assess the efficacy of PBMT to prevent/ameliorate dysgeusia in patients with multiple myeloma treated in Amsterdam UMC with conditioning chemo(radio)therapy followed by autologous stem-cell-transplantation.

Study design: Single centre, prospective, longitudinal, double-blinded, randomized, controlled study. Study population: Recipients of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) for the treatment of multiple myeloma in Amsterdam UMC. Intervention: Patients will be blinded to receive either PBMT or sham-PBMT. Main study parameters/endpoints: Objective and subjective taste function and taste associated covariables and their impact on QoL will be assessed.

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: The application of PBMT to the (peri)oral region is safe and comes with no relevant side effects. The application of PBMT or sham-PBMT will take about 10-15 minutes per treatment. The measurements at the start of the study and at the visit six weeks after SCT will last about 30 minutes. Scoring the PROMS (2 questionnaires of 1-5 questions) during hospitalization will take about five minutes per day; 2 questionnaires (30+15+ 5 questions), 10 minutes, weekly. Patients do not need to come to the hospital specifically for the study, as they already have an appointment in the hospital.

Conditions

• Multiple Myeloma

Interventions

DEVICE

LX2.3 Laser and LED Photobiomodulation System

The LX2.3 Laser and LED Photobiomodulation system by THOR Photomedicine Ltd is a CE marked product and has a long track record of safety, usability, and effectiveness.

DEVICE

LX2.3 Laser and LED Photobiomodulation System Sham-PBMT Setting

The sham setting consists of light of the same colour (white light with a red filter), applied in the same way as in the experimental group.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Academic Centre for Dentistry in Amsterdam

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-02-29

Primary Completion

2024-03-15

Completion

2025-01-30