Study on Electrochemotherapy with Bleomycin for Patients with Recurrent Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer

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What is this study about?

This clinical trial is focused on studying a treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx, which are areas in the mouth and throat. The study is investigating the effectiveness of a treatment called electrochemotherapy, which combines the use of electrical impulses with a drug called bleomycin. This treatment will be compared to a combination of other medications, including cetuximab, platinum-based therapy (such as carboplatin or cisplatin), and 5-fluorouracil.

The purpose of the study is to determine if electrochemotherapy with bleomycin is more effective in treating the cancer compared to the other combination of drugs. Participants in the study will receive either the electrochemotherapy treatment or the combination of cetuximab, platinum-based therapy, and 5-fluorouracil. The study will monitor the response of the cancer to these treatments, as well as overall survival, the time the disease remains under control, and the quality of life of the participants.

Throughout the study, participants will receive their assigned treatment and be regularly assessed to track the progress of their cancer and any side effects they may experience. The study aims to provide valuable information on the best treatment options for patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx.

1 joining the trial

Upon joining the trial, you will be informed about the study’s purpose and procedures. You will be asked to sign an informed consent form, confirming your understanding and willingness to participate.

2 initial assessment

An initial assessment will be conducted to confirm your eligibility. This includes verifying your age, medical history, and current health status. The assessment ensures that you meet the criteria for participation, such as having a confirmed diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity or oropharynx.

3 treatment allocation

You will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. One group will receive electrochemotherapy with bleomycin, and the other group will receive a combination of cetuximab, platinum-based therapy (such as carboplatin or cisplatin), and 5-fluorouracil.

4 treatment administration

If you are in the electrochemotherapy group, you will receive bleomycin through an intravenous injection. The treatment involves applying electrical impulses to the tumor area to enhance the drug’s effectiveness.

If you are in the other group, you will receive cetuximab, platinum-based therapy, and 5-fluorouracil through intravenous injections. The specific dosage and frequency will be determined by the medical team based on your individual needs.

5 monitoring and follow-up

Throughout the trial, regular monitoring will be conducted to assess your response to the treatment. This includes physical examinations, imaging tests, and blood tests. The medical team will evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and monitor for any side effects.

You will be asked to complete questionnaires to assess your quality of life, focusing on aspects such as pain and bleeding.

6 end of trial

The trial is expected to conclude by December 31, 2025. At the end of the trial, a final assessment will be conducted to evaluate the overall outcomes and your health status. You will receive information about the results and any further steps if necessary.

Who Can Join the Study?

Must be over 18 years old.
Must have a progressive disease in the oral cavity and oropharynx. This means the disease is getting worse or coming back after treatment.
Must have a histological confirmation of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. This means a tissue sample has been tested and confirmed to be this type of cancer.
Must have measurable lesions that can be treated with electrical impulses. Lesions are areas of abnormal tissue.
Must have a performance status of Karnofsky score 70 or WHO score 2. This is a measure of how well you can carry out daily activities.
Must have a life expectancy of more than 3 months.
Must be able to understand the treatment and sign an informed consent. This means you understand the treatment and agree to participate.
Must have refused other treatments.

Who Cannot Join the Study?

Patients with any other type of cancer besides carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx cannot participate.
Patients who are not within the specified age range for the study cannot participate.
Patients who are part of a vulnerable population, such as those unable to give consent, cannot participate.
Patients who are not eligible for the specific treatment being tested in the study cannot participate.
Patients who have any medical condition that the study doctors believe would make it unsafe for them to participate cannot join the study.

Where you can join this trial?

Verified and Recommended Sites

No sites found in this category

Verified Sites

Site Name	City	Country	Status
Nuovo Ospedale di Prato-S. Stefano	Catanzaro	Italy

Other Sites

Site Name	City	Country
IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione Pascale	Naples	Italy
Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza	San Giovanni Rotondo	Italy
Azienda Unita Sanitaria Locale Di Piacenza	Piacenza	Italy
Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo	Pavia	Italy
Central Hospital Of Bolzano	Bolzano	Italy
Universita Degli Studi Di Brescia	Brescia	Italy
Icwnwn Iwikoyln Flbtxdlazsfis Ohxsewmkfge	Rome	Italy
Ommcmmwb &sniwwiqq Pcmbziuuzqnwkz	Brindisi	Italy
Osnvbdcp Mtqkp Rqwcubcq Dxolfqhyom Bigeqawn	Barletta	Italy
Aojitib Oecpmhejcbt Uyozzlaghqjjm Cqcfmctphyto Drjpt Sbtsyy E Dhfsh Scerzoi Dv Tllhde	Turin	Italy
Aeblzbi Udd Itnpc Dh Rufycd Emlzjm	Reggio Emilia	Italy
Uszctbnrqs Dgewr Sttuv Dn Rezr Lj Swlsawpu	Rome	Italy
Ubpotssztf Mipri Gvixvvw Ou Cfidajekm	Catanzaro	Italy

Trial status

Country	Status	Recruitment Start
Italy	Not recruiting	09.05.2019

Trial locations

Investigated drugs:

Electrochemotherapy is a treatment that combines a special type of electrical pulse with a cancer-fighting drug. In this trial, it is used as a first-line treatment for patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma in the mouth and throat areas. The electrical pulses help the drug enter the cancer cells more effectively, which can lead to better treatment results.

Bleomycin is a medication used in this trial as part of the electrochemotherapy treatment. It is a type of chemotherapy drug that works by damaging the DNA inside cancer cells, which can stop them from growing and multiplying. When used with electrochemotherapy, it is expected to be more effective in treating the cancer.

Cetuximab is a medication that targets specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells. It is used in this trial in combination with other drugs to treat squamous cell carcinoma. By blocking these proteins, cetuximab can help slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells.

Platinum-based therapy refers to a group of chemotherapy drugs that contain the metal platinum. These drugs work by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, which can prevent them from growing and dividing. In this trial, platinum-based therapy is used alongside other treatments to help fight the cancer.

5-Fluorouracil is a chemotherapy drug used in this trial to treat squamous cell carcinoma. It works by interfering with the cancer cells’ ability to make DNA and RNA, which are essential for their growth and division. This can help slow down or stop the spread of cancer.

Investigated diseases:

Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity and Oropharynx – This disease involves the abnormal growth of cells in the oral cavity, which includes the lips, tongue, gums, and other areas inside the mouth, as well as the oropharynx, which is the part of the throat at the back of the mouth. It typically begins as a small lesion or sore that does not heal and may bleed easily. As the carcinoma progresses, it can invade deeper tissues and spread to nearby structures, such as the jawbone or lymph nodes in the neck. The disease may cause symptoms like difficulty swallowing, changes in speech, or persistent pain. Over time, the cancerous cells can metastasize to other parts of the body, complicating the condition further. Early detection is crucial for managing the disease effectively.

Trial ID:

2025-520735-16-00

Trial Phase:

Therapeutic exploratory (Phase II)

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Study on Electrochemotherapy with Bleomycin for Patients with Recurrent Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer

What is this study about?

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