NCT03574792

Gabapentin, Methadone, and Oxycodone With or Without Venlafaxine Hydrochloride in Managing Pain in Participants With Stage II-IV Squamous Cell Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Chemoradiation Therapy

A Randomized, Open-Label Study to Assess the Pain, Toxicity, and Quality of Life Effects of Adding Venlafaxine to the Pain Management Regimen for Patients Treated With Chemoradiation for Head and Neck Cancer

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 62 (actual)
• Sponsor: Roswell Park Cancer Institute · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This trial studies how well gabapentin, methadone, and oxycodone with or without venlafaxine hydrochloride work in managing pain in participants with stage II-IV squamous cell head and neck cancer undergoing chemoradiation therapy. Gabapentin may reduce the need for these pain medications if given at the start of radiation therapy. Methadone and oxycodone may help relieve pain caused by cancer. Venlafaxine hydrochloride may prevent or improve pain caused by cancer. It is now yet known whether giving gabapentin, methadone, and oxycodone with venlafaxine hydrochloride will work better in managing pain in participants with squamous cell head and neck cancer undergoing chemoradiation therapy.

Detailed description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To assess the pain-reduction effects of adding venlafaxine to a regimen of gabapentin and methadone to control pain during and after chemoradiation. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To assess the effect of venlafaxine hydrochloride (venlafaxine) of the rate of toxicities possibly or probably related to the pain control regimen. TERTIARY OBJECTIVES: I. The effect of venlafaxine on other quality of life scores, patient nutrition, hydration status, and opioid requirements during and after chemoradiotherapy (CRT). OUTLINE: Participants are randomized to 1 of 2 arms. ARM I: Participants receive gabapentin orally (PO) daily or 3 times a day (TID). Participants may also receive methadone PO TID and oxycodone PO every 8 hours as needed. Treatment continues for up to 12 months in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. ARM II: Participants receive gabapentin, methadone, and oxycodone as in Arm I and venlafaxine PO twice daily (BID) or venlafaxine hydrochloride extended release daily for up to 12 months in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After completion of study treatment, participants are followed up at 4 weeks, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, and then every 6 months for up to 24 months.

Conditions

• Stage III Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck AJCC v8
• Stage IV Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck AJCC v8

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Gabapentin	Given PO
DRUG	Methadone	Given PO
DRUG	Oxycodone	Given PO
OTHER	Quality-of-Life Assessment	Ancillary studies
OTHER	Questionnaire Administration	Ancillary studies
DRUG	Venlafaxine	Given PO
DRUG	Venlafaxine Hydrochloride Extended Release	Given PO

Timeline

• Start date: 2018-05-03
• Primary completion: 2021-04-19
• Completion: 2021-11-11
• First posted: 2018-07-02
• Last updated: 2026-04-16
• Results posted: 2026-04-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States

Regulatory

• FDA-regulated drug study