RecruitingNot Applicable

Effect of Cryotherapy in the Prevention of Madarosis Produced by Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients

Spain120 participantsStarted 2023-11-15

Plain-language summary

Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) significantly compromises body image in breast cancer patients, particularly when involving eyebrow and eyelash loss (madarosis). While scalp cooling devices are routinely employed to prevent scalp alopecia, no standardized interventions exist for madarosis prevention. This quasi-experimental study assesses the efficacy of targeted eyebrow cryotherapy in reducing anthracycline- and taxane-induced madarosis. The trial will enroll patients from two tertiary hospitals in Salamanca (intervention arm: cryotherapy) and a control cohort from Santander. Cryotherapy will be administered (-4°C to -7°C) 15 minutes pre-chemotherapy infusion and maintained for 20 minutes post-infusion. Primary outcomes include hair retention quantified through photogrammetric analysis (TIDOP Research Group) at four timepoints: baseline, mid-treatment, chemotherapy completion, and 1-month follow-up. Secondary endpoints evaluate quality of life (QLQ-C30 validated scales) and cryotherapy-related adverse events (CTCAE v5.0 criteria). This investigation aims to establish the first evidence-based protocol for madarosis prevention and develop a novel alopecia classification scale, addressing a critical gap in supportive oncology care

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

FEMALE

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Female participants aged ≥18 years * Newly diagnosed breast cancer (any stage) * Scheduled to receive anthracycline- and/or taxane-based chemotherapy as first-line systemic treatment * No prior history of antineoplastic treatment * Willing and able to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with recurrent disease who have received prior hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy * Presence of alopecia prior to the initiation of cancer treatment * History of cerebral radiotherapy

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Eyebrow hair preservation rate

Timeframe: From baseline to 1 month post-chemotherapy completion

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06955702

SponsorUniversity of Salamanca

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-07-31

Contact for this trial

Marta González Fernández-Conde, PhD Nursing

661544179 martagfc@usal.es

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Breast Neoplasms trials