Fluoxetine Prevention Trial
Information source: University of California, Los Angeles
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this data on August 23, 2015 Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.
Condition(s) targeted: Cognitive Dysfunction
Intervention: Fluoxetine (Drug); Placebo (Drug)
Phase: N/A
Status: Not yet recruiting
Sponsored by: University of California, Los Angeles Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s): Daniel H. Silverman, M.D., Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Affiliation: University of California, Los Angeles
Overall contact: Daniel H. Silverman, M.D., Ph.D., Phone: 310-825-4257, Email: dsilver@ucla.edu
Summary
Many cancer survivors are experiencing problems with memory and other cognitive abilities
following cancer treatment. Little is known concerning the contributions of potentially
preventive therapies on cognitive function, but animal studies have pointed to the potential
value of the medication fluoxetine in this context. We aim to determine whether six months
of fluoxetine therapy can preserve brain function in patients who have undergone
chemotherapy, and examine potential biological mechanisms for its protective effects in
humans. If use of fluoxetine in cancer patients can be validated in this manner, it will
represent the first drug demonstrated to prevent cerebral dysfunction associated with
exposure to chemotherapy. Moreover, as this involves an agent that is already FDA-cleared
for other indications, widely commercially available throughout the U. S. and other parts of
the world, and relatively inexpensive since it is obtainable in generic formulations, it
would represent a pharmacologic approach that is amenable to rapid translation to the
clinical setting.
Clinical Details
Official title: Prevention of Cognitive Decline After Chemotherapy, With Fluoxetine Treatment
Study design: Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Prevention
Primary outcome: Change from baseline in regional cerebral metabolism
Secondary outcome: Durability of the protective effect of fluoxetineChange from baseline in neuropsychological (cognitive, functional) test results Correlation between cognitive functioning and cerebral metabolism by correlating neuropsychological testing results with PET imaging Correlation between inflammatory cytokines and cerebral metabolism by correlating blood cytokine marker levels with PET imaging
Detailed description:
Systematic studies of adverse cognitive and neurobiological changes subsequent to
chemotherapy for lymphoma, breast, and other cancers have attracted substantial interest in
the past decade. Little is known, however, concerning the feasibility and effects of
potentially protective therapies on cerebral function in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Animal models have recently proved useful in examining some of the toxic effects of
chemotherapy agents on working memory and other abilities, as well as on biological
properties such as proliferation and survival of neuronal precursors involved in hippocampal
neurogenesis. Such models have also proved useful for testing potential neuroprotective
properties of agents given before, during and/or after chemotherapy. For example, impairment
in spatial working memory and decreased hippocampal neurogenesis is induced in rats by the
chemotherapy agent methotrexate, but co-administration of the (FDA-cleared and commercially
available) drug fluoxetine has been shown to counteract the negative long-term effects on
memory and hippocampal neurogenesis otherwise occurring after methotrexate administration.
To determine whether such a strategy could be effective in counteracting effects that
chemotherapy may have on cerebral function in humans, well-controlled experimental data
obtained with cancer patients is needed.
This investigation will employ a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled
design, to provide a rigorous test of whether fluoxetine, a drug with a long-standing
excellent safety profile in humans most commonly marketed as an antidepressant, can offer
protection to breast cancer or lymphoma patients against changes in cerebral function
occurring after chemotherapy (Specific Aim 1). It will further provide a test of the
durability of any protective effects beyond the period during which fluoxetine is used, by
re-assessing function approximately 6 months after completion of the regimen (Specific Aim
2). Cerebral function will be assessed by determining distributions of regional cerebral
metabolism, previously demonstrated to sensitively detect functional alterations and closely
reflect diminished cognitive abilities with high statistical power, using positron emission
tomography with the glucose analog radiotracer [F-18]fluorodeoxyglucose. Neuropsychologic
testing will be conducted in parallel with neuroimaging studies and, as a step towards
understanding mechanisms underlying neurotoxic effects of chemotherapy and potentially
related to protective effects of fluoxetine, peripheral markers of inflammatory cytokines
will be measured in blood samples drawn at the time of neuroimaging (Specific Aim 3). If
use of fluoxetine in cancer patients can be validated in this manner and lead to its
adoption in the clinical setting, it will constitute the first drug with demonstrated
utility for the prevention of cerebral dysfunction associated with exposure to chemotherapy.
Moreover, as this involves an agent that is already FDA-cleared for other indications,
widely commercially available throughout the U. S. and other parts of the world, and
relatively inexpensive since it is obtainable in generic formulations, it would represent a
pharmacologic approach that is amenable to rapid translation to the clinical setting.
Eligibility
Minimum age: 21 Years.
Maximum age: N/A.
Gender(s): Both.
Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Scheduled to undergo chemotherapy, or has completed chemotherapy no more
than a month prior to enrollment, for breast cancer or lymphoma
- Age 21 or above
- Geographically accessible for follow-up in one year
- English language proficient
- Able to provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Pregnant
- Evidence of current or past disorder/disease of the central nervous system or any
medical condition that might be expected to impact cognitive functioning (e. g.
multiple sclerosis)
- History of head trauma with loss of consciousness greater than 30 minutes
- Epilepsy, dementia, or severe learning disability
- Current psychotic-spectrum disorder (e. g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major
affective disorder) or current substance abuse or dependence
- History of whole brain irradiation or surgery
- Active diagnosis of autoimmune disorder e. g., systemic lupus erythematosis,
rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis
- Insulin dependent diabetes
- Uncontrolled allergic condition or asthma
- Chronic use of oral steroid medication
- Hormone therapy (estrogen, progestin compounds) other than vaginal estrogen
- Due to the subtleties of neuropsychological test evaluation, including necessity for
repeated administration with alternate forms, we must also exclude non-English
language proficient subjects.
Locations and Contacts
Daniel H. Silverman, M.D., Ph.D., Phone: 310-825-4257, Email: dsilver@ucla.edu
City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, United States; Not yet recruiting Arti Hurria, M.D.
UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90024, United States; Not yet recruiting Daniel H. Silverman, Phone: 310-825-4257
Additional Information
Starting date: June 2015
Last updated: December 2, 2014
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