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NCT Number: NCT06660017

Head and Neck Cancer Patients With Oral Mucositis Treated With Ketamine Oral Rinse

This 2-arm phase II study proposes to determine the efficacy of ketamine oral rinse in pain relief from mucositis in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment.

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Key information

Age range

18 year–99 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73117, United States

Location contact

Lead Nurse

CONTACT

[email protected]

405-271-8777

Rusha Patel, MD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

About this study

Patients with histologically proven head and neck cancer undergoing radiation or concurrent chemoradiation as part of their treatment plan, will either receive ketamine oral rinse or unmedicated oral rinse to use 4 times a day if they develop oral mucositis during their radiation.

Patients will be monitored during treatment and up to 30 days after and will utilize a pain diary to document daily.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Written informed consent signed and dated by the patient prior to the performance of the study-specific procedure.
  • At least 18 years-of-age at the time of signature of the informed consent form (ICF).
  • Patients with histologically proven HNSCC undergoing radiation of concurrent chemoradiation as part of their treatment plan.
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status score of 0, 1, or 2.
  • The patients has received at least one radiation treatment for (HNSCC) the current disease.
  • CTCAE v. 5.0 grade 2 or greater oral cavity or pharyngeal mucositis documented to have developed after initiation of radiotherapy.
  • Males or female patients. Male patients with female partners of childbearing potential and female patients of childbearing potential are required to use two forms of acceptable contraception, including one barrier method, during their participation in the study and for 30 days following last dose. Male patients must also refrain from donating sperm during participation in the study.

Exclusion criteria

  • Inability to sign an informed consent form.
  • Any other malignancy diagnosed or treated within 10 years prior to enrollment.
  • Any documented hypersensitivity to ketamine.
  • Contraindication for ketamine use, including allergy.
  • Patients with schizophrenia, acute psychosis, or any psychiatric disorder that could be dangerous if exacerbated.
  • Women who are pregnant, nursing, or who plan to become pregnant while in the study and for at least <<6>> months after the last administration of study treatment.
  • Men who plan to father a child while in the study and for at least 6 months after the last administration of study treatment.
  • As judged by the Investigator, any evidence of severe or uncontrolled systemic diseases, including uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, active bleeding diatheses, or active infection including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus. Screening for chronic conditions is not required.
  • Patients with a prior or concurrent malignancy whole natural history or treatment does not have potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen should be included.
  • Psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical conditions that do not permit compliance with the protocol and/or follow-up procedures outlined in the protocol.

Treatment and study plan

Placebo

Drug

Patients in this arm will receive unmedicated syrup solution dispensed as 20mg/5ml 4 times a day in addition to receiving one of the following standard treatments; Magic Mouthwash, saliva substitute rinses, over-the-counter remedies including honey or salt and soda rinses, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), or opioid medications.

Ketamine Topical

Drug

Patients in this arm will receive ketamine oral rinse dispensed as 20mg/5ml 4 times a day in addition to receiving one of the following standard treatments; Magic Mouthwash, saliva substitute rinses, over-the-counter remedies including honey or salt and soda rinses, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), or opioid medications.

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of patients who have altered pain response from mucositis in head and neck cancer undergoing radiation treatment from using ketamine oral rinse.

    Time frame: 6 months

    Review weekly questionnaires of patients who received ketamine oral rinse to assess if it helped with the pain of mucositis caused by the radiation in head and neck cancer patients.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number of patients whose dysphagia was decreased by the use of ketamine oral rinse among head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.

    Time frame: 6 months.

    Dysphagia as assessed by MDADI.

  2. Number of patients whose quality-of-life increased after the use of ketamine oral rinse among head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.

    Time frame: 6 months

    Quality of life as assessed by FACT-HN.

  3. Number of patients who need morphine prescription equivalent reductions as a result of using ketamine oral rinse.

    Time frame: 6 months

    Pain medication requirement measured in morphine equivalents.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Lead Nurse

CONTACT

[email protected]

405-271-8001 ext. 45403

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Oklahoma

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Ketamine Oral Rinse in the Management of Oral Mucositis in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Oct 26, 2024
Registry last updated
May 8, 2026

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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