Can a frankincense cream shield skin from radiation burns?

NCT ID NCT07778290

Prevention Sponsor: Youssef Hashem Hafez Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Aug 21, 2026 · Last updated Aug 21, 2026

Summary

This trial tests whether a cream made from Boswellia serrata (Indian olibanum) gum resin can prevent the painful skin irritation that often occurs during radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Adults with head and neck cancer scheduled for radiation will apply the 2% cream to the treated skin area twice daily throughout their radiotherapy course. The study compares them to a group receiving no preventive cream, measuring how many need extra treatments for skin reactions and whether their skin improves or worsens.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: A 2% cream made from Boswellia serrata (Indian olibanum) gum resin, applied to the skin in the radiation area twice daily during radiotherapy.
What this could lead to: If effective, this cream could offer a simple, natural way to prevent painful skin reactions during radiation therapy, improving comfort and reducing treatment interruptions.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial, and the cream may not work better than no treatment. Skin irritation or allergic reactions are possible, and results may not apply to all patients.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 60 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Aug 2026

Expected to finish

Dec 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: \- Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 years or older, of any sex, with histologically confirmed head and neck cancer for which radiotherapy is indicated * Planned external-beam radiotherapy to the head and neck region (curative or adjuvant intent) with a planned total dose of at least 60 Gy; concurrent chemotherapy is permitted * Able to provide written informed consent and comply with the protocol (twice-daily cream application, follow-up visits, and a skin diary) * Agreement to avoid other topical treatments in the radiation field during the study period (except study-provided or allowed rescue medication) Exclusion Criteria: * Previous radiotherapy to the same site * Previous extensive surgery or reconstruction in the head and neck region that substantially alters the radiation field or interferes with skin assessment * Known allergy or hypersensitivity to Boswellia serrata, boswellic acids, or any component of the cream base * Current use of systemic corticosteroids or anti-inflammatory medications that could influence skin reactions (low-dose corticosteroids as chemotherapy premedication are allowed) * Dermatologic conditions in the treatment area that could interfere with assessment (e.g., psoriasis, scleroderma, severe acne, chronic wounds) * Pre-existing dermatitis or significant skin lesions in the radiation field at baseline * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Any other condition that, in the investigator's judgment, would compromise participation or confound the results Exclusion Criteria: \-

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Head and neck cancer are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

head and neck cancer head and neck neoplasm Head and Neck Neoplasms radiodermatitis prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Head and neck neoplasms Radiodermatitis

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

Open the record ↗
A doctor treating you

A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.

Can a frankincense cream shield skin from radiation burns?

What the study statuses mean