Background: More than 75% of women with cancer experience taste disorders during adjuvant chemotherapy. Bitter phantogeusia is particularly limiting. This can lead to impaired food intake with reduced energy intake, as well as changes in body composition, a reduced quality of life, and weight loss. Study Objective: The objective of this pilot phase of the study is, on one hand, to evaluate taste testing during chemotherapy and, on the other hand, to significantly reduce bitter phantogeusia by using a mouthwash containing homoeriodictyol (HED) immediately before consuming main meals. Taste testing during chemotherapy will be evaluated as part of a pilot study. Methods: As part of a pilot study, taste sensitivity is assessed before the start of chemotherapy and during chemotherapy. This phase of the study includes 40 patients undergoing chemotherapy. Taste sensitivity assessments are conducted before the start of chemotherapy and during the third cycle of chemotherapy, and blood samples are also collected. Food intake is assessed once a week using a 24-hour recall, and saliva samples are collected during the third cycle of chemotherapy. Conclusion: Aim of this study is to evaluate changes in taste perception during chemotherapy and to demonstrate a reduction in bitter phantogeusia following the use of a HED mouthwash in women with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. At a later stage, a controlled study is planned. In the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, patients with bitter phantogeusia during chemotherapy will be included. The primary endpoint will be the measured reduction in the perception of bitterness from 500 ppm caffeine between week 1 and week 3. This is intended to improve food intake and body composition and counteract treatment-related weight loss.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
15
To prepare the study medication, 30 mg of homoeriodictyol sodium is granulated with food coloring, an opacifier and a carrier material (manufactured by Symrise AG, Holzminden, Germany) and then packaged in airtight bags. The powder is portioned and packed into bags at the Institute of Physiological Chemistry using portioning spoons.
Medical University of Vienna
Vienna, Austria
Taste tests
Taste tests will be conducted before the start of chemotherapy and during the third cycle of chemotherapy.
Time frame: Taste tests will be conducted before the start of chemotherapy and at the third cycle of chemotherapy (each cycle is 21 days, thus assessment is performed at day 42).
Platinum concentration in saliva samples
Saliva samples will be collected directly before the start of chemotherapy and 1 hour, 6 hours, 18 hours and 24 hours after start of chemotherapy. This will be performed during first and third cycle of chemotherapy.
Time frame: Saliva samples will be collected before chemotherapy and 2, 4, 6, and 18-20 hours after start of chemotherapy. These samples will be assessed at the day of first and third cycle of chemotherapy (each cycle is 21 days, thus assessment).
Serum zinc concentration
Blood samples to evaluate serum zinc concentration will be assessed directly before chemotherapy at chemotherapy cycle one and three.
Time frame: Blood samples will be assessed before the start of chemotherapy and at the third cycle of chemotherapy (each cycle is 21 days, thus assessment is performed at day 42).
Serum platinum concentration
Blood samples to evaluate serum platinum concentration will be assessed directly before chemotherapy at chemotherapy cycle one and three.
Time frame: Blood samples will be assessed before the start of chemotherapy and at the third cycle of chemotherapy (each cycle is 21 days, thus assessment is performed at day 42).
Food intake measurements
Food intake will be assessed using a 24-hour recall before the start of chemotherapy, one week, three weeks, and 13 weeks after the start of chemotherapy.
Time frame: 24-hour recall will be performed before the start of chemotherapy, one week, three weeks, and 13 weeks after the start of chemotherapy.
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