Exploring the Benefit of Topical Capsaicin in Treating Pain From Chemo-induced Peripheral Neuropathy: a Longitudinal Single Center Pilot Study

Primary Objectives

• To assess changes in Gait (specifically looking at velocity) before and after use of topical capsaicin.

Secondary Objectives

• To assess Pain intensity numerical rating scale (NRS) scores in chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) participants before and after use of capsaicin 8% topical patch.
• To assess changes in quantitative sensory testing (QST) before and after use of topical capsaicin.
• To assess skin punch biopsy to compare the integrity of epidermal nerve fibers and Meissner's corpuscles (MC) in CIPN patients before and after use of topical capsaicin (optional).
• To assess pain tumor related neuropathy assessment scale (TNAS) before and after topical capsaicin
• To assess pain interference using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), before and after topical capsaicin
• To assess Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC)
• To assess the rate of adverse events and tolerability of topical capsaicin as reported by participants

Inclusion criteria

• Participants diagnosed with pain of the lower extremity from chronic (>90 days duration) CIPN (due to either vinca alkaloids, taxanes, bortezomib, thalidomide, platinum-based compounds), seen at MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Participants reporting baseline pain ≥ 4 (0-10 scale, NRS)
• Participants age 18+
• Participants who have completed chemotherapy within the last year at the time of enrollment.

Exclusion criteria

• Participants with cognitive dysfunction
• Participants with recent history (<6 months) of drug or alcohol abuse
• Participants with open skin lesion or undergoing antibiotic therapy for local for systemic infection
• Participants with allergies to capsaicin or adhesives
• Pregnant participants