Fractional CO2 Laser Therapy Versus 4% Topical Lidocaine Gel for Dyspareunia in Breast Cancer Survivors

NCT ID: NCT03257670

Last Updated: 2021-09-28

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

UNKNOWN

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

70 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2018-03-20

Study Completion Date

2022-06-01

Brief Summary

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This trial seeks to determine if therapy with a CO2 laser to the vagina is more effective than lidocaine to the opening of the vagina before intercourse to reduce painful intercourse in women who are breast cancer survivors. This study will also be looking at whether or not the CO2 laser improves pelvic floor function, bowel and bladder function, and sexual function before and after treatment.

Detailed Description

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This is a randomized trial to determine the comparative effectiveness of the CO2RE laser device relative to topical lidocaine in treating dyspareunia among breast cancer survivors. The large and growing population of breast cancer survivors experience a significant burden of urogenital symptoms including dyspareunia. Several studies have evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of CO2 lasers for the treatment of symptomatic vulvovaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women suggesting improvements in atrophy symptoms with favorable histological and microscopic changes. There is little know about the effectiveness of CO2 laser therapy in breast cancer survivors.

Patients who are breast cancer survivors experiencing dyspareunia and desiring intervention will be randomized to two cohorts: (1) Treatment with the CO2RE laser or (2) application of 4% aqueous lidocaine applied to the vulvar vestibule for 3 minutes before vaginal penetration. The primary outcome will be the overall as well as lubrication, satisfaction, and pain domain scores on the Female Sexual Function Index instrument. Secondary outcomes will be according to other validated pain and pelvic floor symptom instruments.

Following initiation of treatment, both groups will follow up at one-week, 1-month, 3-months, and 6-months. At the 3-month assessment, subjects in the lidocaine arm will be given the option to undergo CO2RE laser therapy. A combination of validated and non-validated physical exam and survey instruments will be utilized at each visit in order to assess pelvic floor function, bowel and bladder function, and sexual function before and after treatment.

Conditions

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Dyspareunia

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Subjects will be randomized to two treatment cohorts (each with 35 patients): (1) treatment with the CO2RE laser or; (2) treatments of 4% aqueous lidocaine applied to the vulvar vestibule for 3 minutes before vaginal penetration. Both cohorts will have four follow-up assessments following initiation of treatment: (1) One-week post treatment initiation; (2) 1-month post treatment initiation; (3) 3-months post treatment initiation and; (4) 6-months post laser-only treatment initiation. At the 3-month assessment, subjects in the lidocaine arm will be allowed to try the CO2RE laser therapy. In doing this, an imbedded crossover trial is included that will allow assessment of subject decision-satisfaction between the two therapy approaches. The primary outcome will be the overall and lubrication, satisfaction, and pain domain scores on the Female Sexual Function Index instrument. Secondary outcomes will be other validated pain and pelvic floor symptom instruments.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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CO2RE Laser

This group will undergo vaginal CO2 laser therapy for a total of three (3) treatments with one month between treatments.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

CO2RE fractional laser therapy

Intervention Type DEVICE

This group will undergo vaginal CO2 laser therapy for a total of three (3) treatments with one month between treatments.

4% Topical Lidocaine Gel

This group will be given 4% topical lidocaine gel to take home. The patient will apply the 4% lidocaine gel to the outside and opening of the vagina for 3 minutes before vaginal penetration. The patient will continue using the numbing gel prior to vaginal penetration for the extent of the study (3 months).

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

4% Topical Lidocaine Gel

Intervention Type DRUG

This group will be given 4% topical lidocaine gel to take home. The patient will apply the 4% lidocaine gel to the outside and opening of the vagina for 3 minutes before vaginal penetration. The patient will continue using the numbing gel prior to vaginal penetration for the extent of the study (3 months).

Interventions

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4% Topical Lidocaine Gel

This group will be given 4% topical lidocaine gel to take home. The patient will apply the 4% lidocaine gel to the outside and opening of the vagina for 3 minutes before vaginal penetration. The patient will continue using the numbing gel prior to vaginal penetration for the extent of the study (3 months).

Intervention Type DRUG

CO2RE fractional laser therapy

This group will undergo vaginal CO2 laser therapy for a total of three (3) treatments with one month between treatments.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Subjects included must be female breast cancer survivors over the age of 18, sexually active (at least 4 episodes of sexual intercourse per month), and find intercourse painful. Subjects must also be English speaking and able to give informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

* Subjects will be excluded if pregnant, has not had breast cancer, does not have painful intercourse secondary to treatment received for their breast cancer, is not English speaking, or lacks the ability to sign informed consent.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Syneron Candela

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Cincinnati

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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James Whiteside

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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James L Whiteside, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Cincinnati

Locations

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University of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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James L Whiteside, MD

Role: CONTACT

513-475-8713

Carson T Kaeser, MD

Role: CONTACT

513-475-8713

Facility Contacts

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James L Whiteside, MD

Role: primary

513-475-8713

Carson T Kaeser, MD

Role: backup

513-585-3474

References

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Miller KD, Siegel RL, Lin CC, Mariotto AB, Kramer JL, Rowland JH, Stein KD, Alteri R, Jemal A. Cancer treatment and survivorship statistics, 2016. CA Cancer J Clin. 2016 Jul;66(4):271-89. doi: 10.3322/caac.21349. Epub 2016 Jun 2.

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Maiorino MI, Chiodini P, Bellastella G, Giugliano D, Esposito K. Sexual dysfunction in women with cancer: a systematic review with meta-analysis of studies using the Female Sexual Function Index. Endocrine. 2016 Nov;54(2):329-341. doi: 10.1007/s12020-015-0812-6. Epub 2015 Dec 7.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26643312 (View on PubMed)

Mazzarello S, Hutton B, Ibrahim MFK, Jacobs C, Shorr R, Smith S, Ng T, Clemons M. Management of urogenital atrophy in breast cancer patients: a systematic review of available evidence from randomized trials. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2015 Jul;152(1):1-8. doi: 10.1007/s10549-015-3434-z. Epub 2015 May 24.

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Falk SJ, Bober S. Vaginal Health During Breast Cancer Treatment. Curr Oncol Rep. 2016 May;18(5):32. doi: 10.1007/s11912-016-0517-x.

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Baumgart J, Nilsson K, Stavreus-Evers A, Kask K, Villman K, Lindman H, Kallak T, Sundstrom-Poromaa I. Urogenital disorders in women with adjuvant endocrine therapy after early breast cancer. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Jan;204(1):26.e1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2010.08.035. Epub 2010 Oct 14.

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Perino A, Calligaro A, Forlani F, Tiberio C, Cucinella G, Svelato A, Saitta S, Calagna G. Vulvo-vaginal atrophy: a new treatment modality using thermo-ablative fractional CO2 laser. Maturitas. 2015 Mar;80(3):296-301. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2014.12.006. Epub 2014 Dec 25.

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Salvatore S, Nappi RE, Zerbinati N, Calligaro A, Ferrero S, Origoni M, Candiani M, Leone Roberti Maggiore U. A 12-week treatment with fractional CO2 laser for vulvovaginal atrophy: a pilot study. Climacteric. 2014 Aug;17(4):363-9. doi: 10.3109/13697137.2014.899347. Epub 2014 Jun 5.

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Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Zerbinati N, Serati M, Origoni M, Candiani M, Iannitti T, Salvatore S, Marotta F, Calligaro A. Microscopic and ultrastructural modifications of postmenopausal atrophic vaginal mucosa after fractional carbon dioxide laser treatment. Lasers Med Sci. 2015 Jan;30(1):429-36. doi: 10.1007/s10103-014-1677-2. Epub 2014 Nov 20.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Sandvik H, Hunskaar S, Seim A, Hermstad R, Vanvik A, Bratt H. Validation of a severity index in female urinary incontinence and its implementation in an epidemiological survey. J Epidemiol Community Health. 1993 Dec;47(6):497-9. doi: 10.1136/jech.47.6.497.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Rosen R, Brown C, Heiman J, Leiblum S, Meston C, Shabsigh R, Ferguson D, D'Agostino R Jr. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): a multidimensional self-report instrument for the assessment of female sexual function. J Sex Marital Ther. 2000 Apr-Jun;26(2):191-208. doi: 10.1080/009262300278597.

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Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Other Identifiers

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UC Laser

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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