An interventional study of Avmacol in Head and Neck Cancer, Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) and Head and Neck Carcinoma, sponsored by University of Pittsburgh. Completed at 2 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2023-04-07.
Sponsored by University of Pittsburgh · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
Avmacol is an over-the-counter dietary supplement containing broccoli seed and sprout extracts in tablet form, hypothesized to activate protective cellular pathways including detoxication. In this study, participants who have been curatively treatment for head and neck cancer, will take Avmacol twice a day for 3 months.
The broccoli seed preparation, Avmacol®, results in acute and/or sustained induction of NRF2 target gene transcripts in the oral mucosa of patients who have been curatively treated for a tobacco-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), including high grade dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, or invasive carcinoma. This study is not designed to examine the therapeutic or reparative effects of Avmacol® on premalignant lesions of the oral cavity.
We will systematically assess the clinical chemopreventive potential of Avmacol® administration to patients with tobacco-related HNSCC at high risk for second primary tumor by:
Current and former tobacco users are eligible. The tobacco use assessment form must be completed following consent, to assure eligibility (Appendix B). Patients must have ≥10 pack-year cumulative tobacco exposure or its equivalent to be eligible. This is defined as follows:
Exclusion Criteria:
You will be given a higher dose of Avmacol® each month, taking 2 Avmacol® tablets per day the first month (Cycle 1), 4 Avmacol® tablets per day the second month (Cycle 2), and 8 Avmacol® tablets per day the third month (Cycle 3). Investigators will study how Avmacol® affects your body by collecting three different tissues: 1) your cheek cells (buccal cells); 2) your urine; and 3) your blood. After you have finished three months of Avmacol®, you will return one month later for an end-of-study visit.
Dietary Supplement: Avmacol
Avmacol is a dietary supplement available over the counter
Also known as: broccoli see extract
Change in NRF2 target gene expression
Quantitative changes in NRF2 target gene transcripts expression (i.e. NQO1 and GCLC) in oral mucosa (buccal cytobrush) by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) according to a linear mixed model framework.
Time frame: From baseline throughout treatment period, up to 4 months
Change in NRF2 target proteins
Changes in NRF2 target proteins in buccal punch biopsies by immunoblotting.
Time frame: From baseline throughout treatment period, up to 4 months
Change in NRF2 target gene transcripts
Change in NRF2 target gene transcripts, between the two doses of Avmacol® by immunoblotting.
Time frame: From baseline throughout treatment period, up to 4 months
Change in NRF2-independent proteins
Change in NRF2 target gene transcripts, between the two doses of Avmacol® by immunoblotting.
Time frame: From baseline throughout treatment period, up to 4 months
Alterations of Avmacol® activity in PBMCs - NK cells
Changes in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) gene expression and flow cytometry patterns in NK cells.
Time frame: From baseline throughout treatment period, up to 4 months
Alterations of Avmacol® activity in PBMCs - T cells
Changes in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) gene expression and flow cytometry patterns in T cells.
Time frame: From baseline throughout treatment period, up to 4 months
Change in serum cytokine levels
Change in serum cytokine levels, as determined by multiplexed bead-based cytokine assays.
Time frame: From baseline throughout treatment period, up to 4 months
Measurement of serum albumin-bound SF
Measurement of urinary metabolites of SF using isotope dilution mass spectrometry.
Time frame: From baseline throughout treatment period, up to 4 months
Safety profile in accordance with NCI CTCAE v.4
Patients will receive a diary for daily logging of adverse events. This will tabulated by Avmacol dose and type and grade of adverse events. The mean frequency and grade of events will be calculated by dose, and between-dose differences compared by means
Time frame: Throughout treatment period, up to 4 months
Proportion of patients primary tumors harboring genomic alteration of NRF2 related genes
Genomic alterations in primary tumors will be characterized and the proportion determined by number of patients with NRF2 related genes per the total number of patients studied.
Time frame: At baseline
This study is completed, as verified in Apr 2023. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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University of Pittsburgh