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CompletedNCT03910595Updated Oct 22, 2020

Efficacy Study of Mepitel Film the Prophylaxis of Radiation-Induced Skin Reactions in Breast Cancer Patients

An interventional study of Mepitel Film in Breast Cancer and Radiation Dermatitis, sponsored by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Completed at 1 site in Canada. Open to female participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2020-10-22.

Sponsored by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
30
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
Female
01

Study summary

In patients undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer, radiation-induced skin toxicities are a common occurrence and adversely impact patients' quality of life (QOL). In the last decade, there have been no significant advances in preventing or treating radiation-induced skin toxicities. Recently, a phase III randomized trial by Herst et al. (n=78) in New Zealand showed that the prophylactic use of Mepitel Film reduced skin reaction severity by 92% compared to skin treated only with aqueous cream. Mepitel film has not been widely adopted in North America. To validate the efficacy of the film and guide the development of a larger multi-centre phase II study, a pilot study testing the efficacy of the film is proposed. In the study, 30 patients will have the film applied on their breast for the duration of radiation treatment and their skin reactions will be assessed throughout the treatment and after the treatment. The investigators hypothesize that the severity and incidence rates of skin reactions for patients using Mepitel film will be lower when compared to real world data from our centre, and that cosmetic outcomes will be improved with the film.

Read the detailed description

In patients undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer, radiation-induced skin toxicities are a common occurrence and adversely impact patients' quality of life (QOL). Patients with large breasts or patients receiving chest wall radiation may be more likely to have worse skin reactions following radiation. In the last decade, there have been no significant advances in preventing or treating radiation-induced skin toxicities. Recently, a phase III randomized trial by Herst et al. (n=78) in New Zealand showed that the prophylactic use of Mepitel Film prevented moist desquamation (26% vs. 0%, p \< 0.001) and reduced skin reaction severity by 92% (p \< 0.001) compared to skin treated only with aqueous cream. Another study by Moller et al. (n=101) in Denmark reported a non-significant improvement in observer-rated radiation dermatitis with the film (p=0.1) compared to cream, and significant improvements in several patient-reported outcomes. Moreover, patients with breast cancer complain of hyperpigmentation in the radiated area during and after radiation.

Mepitel Film has not been widely adopted in North American clinical practice. To further study and validate the efficacy of Mepitel Film in preventing acute skin reactions caused by breast radiation and elucidate its efficacy in preventing poor cosmetic outcomes, a phase II efficacy study of three patient populations will be conducted:

  1. Patients with large breasts
  2. Patients with small or medium sized breasts
  3. Patients with chest wall radiation

The results of the phase II efficacy study can guide the development of a subsequent multi-centre phase II and III trials to further validate the use of Mepitel film and increase its adoption rate.

The primary objective is to examine the efficacy of Mepitel film in the prophylaxis of radiation-induced skin reactions. Secondary objectives include an evaluation of patient-reported and healthcare professional (HCP)-reported skin toxicities including moist desquamation with the use of Mepitel film.

Radiation oncologists will first introduce the study to their patients in their breast clinic, showing a sample of the product and also pictures from the trial conducted in New Zealand. Patients if interested may be provided a patient information sheet to review at home. Then, patients will be approached by a CRA at their radiation planning appointment to review all information and obtain informed consent.

All patients will receive Mepitel film for the duration of treatment. Radiation treatment will be delivered as prescribed by the treating radiation oncologist and may include a variety of techniques and beam modifiers.

Trained clinical research assistants (CRA) or the radiation review nurse will apply the Mepitel film for patients prior to their first radiation treatment at a designated clinic room and will check daily prior to radiation that the breast/chest wall has not been distorted by the film. If the film needs to be readjusted, the CRAs or nurses will remove peeling sections of film and reapply where needed. The film will be removed two weeks post radiation treatment.

Patients will complete evaluations once a week at their regular review clinic visit and will be assessed by an HCP or CRA. At the last treatment or last review appointment, a photo of the patient's breasts/chest wall will be taken, and they will be asked to complete an assessment. An HCP will also conduct an assessment.

After completion of radiation, patients will be called at week 1 and weeks 3-6 to assess endpoints. Patients will be asked to return for a 2-week, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up assessment where photos of their breasts/chest wall will be taken, and they will complete their personal assessments. The film will be removed at the 2-week follow-up appointment. The 3-month follow-up assessment will occur at the same time as their regular clinic follow-up with their radiation oncologist. At the 3-month and 6-month follow-up assessment, an HCP will also an assessment.

02

Conditions studied

  • Breast Cancer
  • Radiation Dermatitis

Keywords

  • Barrier Film
  • Mepitel
  • Quality of Life
  • Radiation Dermatitis
  • Skin toxicity
03

In context

Breast Neoplasms

12,544 studies on the registry are indexed under Breast Neoplasms; 2,892 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 30 is below the median of 72 across 9,303 interventional studies indexed under Breast Neoplasms.

Browse Breast Neoplasms studies →

Lead sponsor

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is the lead sponsor of 566 studies on the registry; 134 are open to participants now.

Of its 6 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 2 (33%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
Female
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Informed consent
  • Patient will receive adjuvant breast or chest wall radiation
  • Post-lumpectomy patients with band size of at least 36 inches or cup size of D or larger will be part of the large breast cohort
  • Post-lumpectomy patients that do not meet this size requirement will be part of the small or medium sized breast cohort
  • Post-mastectomy patients are part of the chest wall radiation cohort
  • Can communicate in English or be aided by a hospital translator

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patient had previous radiation therapy to the treatment area
  • Patient had breast reconstruction
  • Patient has a Karnofsky Performance Status score \<70
  • Patient will have radiation treatment in prone or reverse decubitus positions
  • Patient will receive partial breast external beam radiation or brachytherapy
  • Patient will receive radiation to the supraclavicular region
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
30 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Mepitel Film Arm

    This is a single arm trial where all patients will receive the intervention of Mepitel Film.

    Other: Mepitel Film

Interventions

  • OtherMepitel Film

    Mepitel film is a barrier film that may help in reducing radiation dermatitis by limiting friction.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Observable differences between treated and non-treated breasts/chest wall

    Determined by a cosmetic dermatologist from photographs of the treated and non-treated breast/chest wall.

    Time frame: Within 3 months following radiation

Secondary outcomes

  1. Patient reports of acute skin toxicity

    Measured by the Skin Symptom Assessment (SSA); subscales for itchiness, pain/soreness, blistering/peeling, redness, discolouration/darkness, swelling, and trouble fitting brassieres graded as "not at all", "a little", "quite a bit", or "very much"

    Time frame: Within 3 months following radiotherapy

  2. Patient reports of late skin toxicity

    Measured by the SSA; subscales for itchiness, pain/soreness, blistering/peeling, redness, discolouration/darkness, swelling, and trouble fitting brassieres graded as "not at all", "a little", "quite a bit", or "very much"

    Time frame: 6 months following radiotherapy

  3. Clinician reports of acute skin toxicity

    Measured by the SSA; subscales for itchiness, pain/soreness, blistering/peeling, redness, discolouration/darkness, swelling, and trouble fitting brassieres graded as "not at all", "a little", "quite a bit", or "very much"

    Time frame: Within 3 months following radiotherapy

  4. Clinician reports of late skin toxicity

    Measured by the SSA; subscales for itchiness, pain/soreness, blistering/peeling, redness, discolouration/darkness, swelling, and trouble fitting brassieres graded as "not at all", "a little", "quite a bit", or "very much"

    Time frame: 6 months following radiotherapy

  5. Clinician grading of acute skin toxicity

    Measured by the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE); graded on a scale from 0 (best) to 4 (worst)

    Time frame: Within 3 months following radiotherapy

  6. Clinician grading of late skin toxicity

    Measured by the NCI CTCAE; graded on a scale from 0 (best) to 4 (worst)

    Time frame: 6 months following radiotherapy

  7. Degree of acute skin toxicity and interference with daily functioning

    Measured by the Radiation Induced Skin Reaction Assessment System (RISRAS); researcher subscales for erythema and dry desquamation rated from 0 (best) to 4 (worst); researcher subscale for moist desquamation rated from 0 (best) to 6 (worst); researcher subscale for necrosis rated from 0 (best) to 10 (worst); patient subscales for tenderness/discomfort/pain, itchiness, burning sensation, and interference with daily activities rated from 0 (best) to 3 (worst).

    Time frame: Within 3 months following radiotherapy

  8. Degree of late skin toxicity and interference with daily functioning

    Measured by the RISRAS; researcher subscales for erythema and dry desquamation rated from 0 (best) to 4 (worst); researcher subscale for moist desquamation rated from 0 (best) to 6 (worst); researcher subscale for necrosis rated from 0 (best) to 10 (worst); patient subscales for tenderness/discomfort/pain, itchiness, burning sensation, and interference with daily activities rated from 0 (best) to 3 (worst).

    Time frame: 6 months following radiotherapy

  9. Long-term changes in skin pigmentation

    Measured by photographs of the treated and non-treated breast and graded by a cosmetic dermatologist

    Time frame: Changes from baseline to 6 months following radiotherapy

  10. Acute changes in breast cosmesis

    Measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Breast Cosmetic Rating System; subscales for breast size, breast shape, location of areola/nipple, shape of areola/nipple, tanning, pallor, breast edema, appearance of scar, and telangiectasia graded from 0 (best) to 3 (worst); overall grade assigned from 0 (best) to 2 (worst).

    Time frame: Within 3 months following radiotherapy

  11. Late changes in breast cosmesis

    Measured by the EORTC Breast Cosmetic Rating System; subscales for breast size, breast shape, location of areola/nipple, shape of areola/nipple, tanning, pallor, breast edema, appearance of scar, and telangiectasia graded from 0 (best) to 3 (worst); overall grade assigned from 0 (best) to 2 (worst).

    Time frame: 6 months following radiotherapy

  12. Film Integrity Assessment

    Evaluated daily prior to the patient's radiotherapy treatment

    Time frame: Until film is removed, 2 weeks following radiotherapy

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
    Toronto, Ontario M4N3M5, Canada
08

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Oct 22, 2020, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03910595
Lead sponsor
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Responsible party
Dr. Edward Chow (Principal Investigator, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre) — Principal investigator
First posted
Apr 10, 2019
Start date
Mar 14, 2019
Primary completion
Apr 28, 2020
Completion
Sep 8, 2020
Last update
Oct 22, 2020

Study contacts

Edward LW Chow, MBBS
principal investigator · Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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