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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02598726

Curcumin and Piperine in Reducing Inflammation for Ureteral Stent-Induced Symptoms in Patients With Cancer

This pilot phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of curcumin when given together with piperine (piperine extract [standardized]) in reducing inflammation for ureteral stent-induced symptoms in patients with cancer. Curcumin is a spice similar to turmeric and works by decreasing the chemical moderators that produce inflammation in the body. Piperine is pepper and works by increasing the amount of curcumin available in the body when taken with curcumin. Giving curcumin together with piperine may reduce inflammation and discomfort from a ureteric stent in older patients with cancer.

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Key information

Conditions

Bladder Spasm Malignant Neoplasm Neoplasms Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Urinary Urgency

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 1

Primary location

Mayo Clinic

Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States

About this study

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To conduct a dose-escalation study with curcumin and piperine to derive a safe, optimal biological dose of this combination in cancer patients.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To describe the grade 2+ toxicities associated with curcumin and piperine. II. To evaluate quality of life associated with this combination by means of the Mayo Modified Urinary Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ).

TERTIARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To characterize the change in urinary prostaglandin E2 concentrations that occur at baseline and then after one week of curcumin + piperine.

OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study of curcumin.

Patients receive curcumin orally (PO) twice daily (BID) or thrice daily (TID) and piperine extract (standardized) PO on days 1-7 in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 1 month.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Ureteral stent in place at study registration
  • Patient reports pain, spasms, or urgency symptoms after stent placement, which are thought to be unrelated to other causes as per the patient or healthcare provider or both (documentation in the medical record is unnecessary)
  • Ability to complete English language questionnaires by themselves or with assistance
  • After the week-long study treatment, participants must be willing to return to the enrolling institution for a follow-up visit
  • Willingness to provide mandatory 24 hour urine collection samples for research purposes
  • Able to swallow supplements
  • Patient must have either a history of cancer or active cancer
  • Registration >= 7 days after placement of a new stent or >= 3 days after a stent exchange
  • Willingness to refrain from grapefruit juice for 7 days prior to and for 7 days during the study

Exclusion criteria

  • Receiving warfarin at registration
  • Active cholecystitis
  • Taking any of the following drugs at the time of study participation: epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, topoisomerase 1 inhibitor (camptothecin, irinotecan); buspirone, benzodiazepines, zolpidem, calcium channel blockers (such as felodipine, nifedipine, verapamil); digoxin or quinidine; codeine or fentanyl; phenytoin, propranolol, rifampin, or theophylline
  • History of alcohol abuse

Treatment and study plan

curcumin

Drug

Given PO

Other names: C.I. 75300, C.I. Natural Yellow 3, Diferuloylmethane, Turmeric Yellow

laboratory biomarker analysis

Other

Correlative studies

Piperine Extract (Standardized)

Dietary Supplement

Given PO

Other names: Bioperine, Standardized Piperine Extract

Quality-of-Life Assessment

Other

Ancillary studies

Other names: Quality of Life Assessment

Primary outcomes

  1. Incidence of adverse events, using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0

    Time frame: Up to 1 month post-treatment

    Examined in an exploratory and hypothesis-generating fashion. The number and severity of all adverse events (overall, by dose-level, and by tumor type) will be tabulated and summarized in this patient population. The grade 2+ adverse events will also be described and summarized in a similar fashion.

  2. Maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of curcumin in combination with piperine

    Time frame: 7 days

    The MTD of curcumin in combination with piperine is defined as the highest safely tolerated dose level where at most 1 out of 6 patients experience a dose limiting toxicity (DLT) with the next higher dose having at least 2 patients out of a maximum of 6 patients experiencing a DLT. DLT will be assessed using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. Examined in an exploratory and hypothesis-generating fashion.

  3. Optimal biologically active dose for curcumin in combination with piperine extract (standardized)

    Time frame: 7 days

    Examined in an exploratory and hypothesis-generating fashion.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in quality of life (QOL) by means of the USSQ

    Time frame: Baseline to 7 days

    Reported descriptively. Graphical methods and descriptive statistics will be used to describe the QOL data at baseline and after treatment. Change in QOL from baseline will be assessed via the paired t-test or non-parametric equivalent (Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test). The questions from the USSQ will be summarized descriptively via frequency tables.

Other outcomes

  1. Change in prostaglandin E2 concentrations

    Time frame: Baseline to 7 days

    Graphical methods and descriptive statistics will be used to summarize the prostaglandin E2 concentration data. This will be done overall and by dose level. Changes will be summarized by reporting the mean and median percent change from baseline to post-treatment. Percent and absolute change from baseline will also be assessed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test. Fisher's Exact test will be used for assessing the association between categorical variables and the t-test will be used for comparing prostaglandin E2 concentration data across different patient subgroups of interest.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Mayo Clinic

Other

Collaborators

  • National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Registry information

Official study title

Phase 1 Pilot Study of Curcumin and Piperine to Derive a Safe, Optimal Biologic Dose for Ureteral Stent-Induced Symptoms in Cancer Patients

Important dates

Study start
2016
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Nov 6, 2015
Registry last updated
Apr 22, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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