NCT06055257

Combination Therapy: Hyperbaric Oxygen and PENTOCLO for Treatment of Osteoradionecrosis of the Mandible

Combination Therapy: Hyperbaric Oxygen and PENTOCLO for Treatment of Osteoradionecrosis of the Mandible, a Pilot Randomized Control Trial

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: Phase 3
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 24 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: —
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Radiation is commonly used to treat cancer in the head and neck, however, this can lead to a serious complication called osteoradionecrosis (ORN), where there is necrotic (dead) open bone inside or outside of the mouth. This complication is difficult to treat, involves large healthcare costs, and can have devastating effects on quality of life. Two common adjuncts used in treatment of ORN are hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which may requires up to 60 treatments at a specialized clinic where patients are treated with high concentrations of oxygen using special chambers, and a less complex option called PENTOCLO which involves treating patients with several antibiotics followed by a combination of other oral medications taken for at least 1 year. This pilot study will be guide the design of a definitive trial to examine if the combination of HBOT and a modified PENTOCLO protocol together is better than the current standard treatment of HBOT alone. Outcomes will include pain, side effects and the need for surgery in patients with ORN. Specifically, the results of this small, pilot study will help to inform the design of a future larger study.

Detailed description

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the mandible is a potentially devastating complication which can occur following radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. ORN is difficult to treat using standard methods, and is associated with high healthcare costs and potentially dire impacts on quality of life. In addition to conservative measures (e.g. antibiotics, local irrigation, oral care) and surgical management, there are two established adjuvant treatments for ORN: hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and an oral regimen called PENTOCLO, which consists of pre-treatment with oral antibiotics followed by prolonged treatment with a combination of PENtoxifylline, TOcopherol (Vitamin E) and CLOdronate. This will be the first study to investigate the potential benefits of combining HBOT and a modified PENTOCLO regimen for treatment of ORN. This study is a prospective, pilot, open label, outcome blinded, randomized controlled trial where participants with a confirmed diagnosis of mandibular ORN will be randomized (1:1 in blocks of 4, stratified by ORN stage) to receive either the standard HBOT treatment or HBOT plus a modified PENTOCLO regimen. The primary objective of this pilot trial is to determine feasibility of a larger definitive trial by assessing recruitment, adherence to the interventional protocol, ability to achieve 12 months follow up, feasibility of completing outcome measures, and study costs (including research support and healthcare resources costs per patient). Clinical outcomes including improvement or worsening of ORN of the mandible after 12-month treatment will also be assessed. Participants will be followed for 12 months from the start of treatment, with follow-ups at 4 weeks, 5/6 weeks, and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months to assess pain scores, ORN characteristics, quality of life and adverse events.

Conditions

• Osteoradionecrosis
• Osteoradionecrosis of Jaw
• Osteoradionecrosis of the Mandible

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	modified PENTOCLO (mPENTOCLO)	4-week "pre-treatment" phase consisting of 2 g daily of Amoxicillin+Clavulanic acid 875/125 mg (1 g morning and night), 1 g ciprofloxacin (500 mg morning and night) and 50 mg Fluconazole daily (morning), taken orally by the patient. This is followed by an additional 11 months (12 months total) "treatment" phase consisting of 800 mg pentoxifylline (400 mg morning and night) and 800 IU tocopherol (400 IU morning and night) taken orally 5 days per week (Monday to Friday with no medications on Saturday and Sunday). If the patient deteriorates (i.e., worsening of ORN T 6 or 9-month follow-up) then clodronate 1600 mg once daily (Monday to Friday) for the rest of the study period will be added.
DRUG	sham mPENTOCLO	4-week "pre-treatment" phase consisting of 2 g daily of Amoxicillin+Clavulanic acid 875/125 mg (1 g morning and night), 1 g ciprofloxacin (500 mg morning and night) and 50 mg Fluconazole daily (morning), taken orally by the patient. This is followed by an additional 11 months (12 months total) of sham "treatment" phase (placebo).

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-01-16
• Primary completion: 2027-12-01
• Completion: 2027-12-01
• First posted: 2023-09-26
• Last updated: 2025-09-12

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada