Pepper patch takes on cancer nerve pain in new trial
NCT ID NCT04704453
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study compared a capsaicin patch (Qutenza) to a standard nerve pain medication (amitriptyline) in 13 head and neck cancer survivors with long-term nerve pain. The goal was to see if the patch could reduce pain and improve quality of life. Participants received either the patch every 3 months or daily pills, and were followed for 9 months.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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13 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Apr 2021
- Finished
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Apr 2025
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age ≥ 18 years. 2. ORL cancer in remission: absence of clinical or radiological signs of progression at least 3 months after specific treatments. 3. Pain of the cervico-facial sphere persisting for more than 3 months after surgical and/or radiotherapy treatment. 4. Peripheral neuropathic character of pain objectified to a score ≥ 4/10 on the DN4 questionnaire. 5. Pain whose average intensity over the last 24 hours is assessed on the numerical scale as ≥ 2/10. 6. Postmenopausal patient or patient who agrees to use effective contraception for the duration of treatment and for a minimum of 15 days after the end of the treatment period. Non-menopausal patients must have a negative pregnancy test prior to inclusion in the study. 7. Patient affiliated to a Social Health Insurance in France. 8. Patient who signed informed consent prior to inclusion in the study and prior to any specific study procedures. Exclusion Criteria: 1. ORL cancer in progression. 2. Other concomitant neoplasia (progressive or not). 3. Central etiology of pain. 4. Pain whose average intensity over the last 24 hours is assessed on the numerical scale as \< 2/10. 5. Allergy to any of the components of the capsaicin patch. 6. Capsaicin patch not applicable to the area to be treated despite the precautions described in the protocol because of its proximity to mucous membranes or eyelids. 7. Contraindication to amitriptyline treatment. 8. Patient with an unhealed skin lesion on the area to be treated. 9. Previous treatment with capsaicin or amitriptyline. 10. Topical treatment of the painful area used for more than 21 days before inclusion. 11. Ongoing opioid treatment \> 80mg/day oral morphine equivalent. 12. Uncontrolled high blood pressure or cardiovascular history (infarction, stroke, pulmonary embolism) less than 3 months ago. 13. Patient included in another interventional therapeutic trial. 14. Pregnant or breastfeeding patient. 15. Any psychological, family, geographical or sociological condition that prevents compliance with the medical follow-up and/or procedures of the study protocol. 16. Patient who has forfeited his/her freedom by administrative or legal award or who is under legal protection (curatorship and guardianship, protection of justice).
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Hôpital Saint-Joseph
Marseille, 13285, France
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INSTITUT DE CANCEROLOGIE DE L'OUEST (ICO) Site Angers
Angers, France
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Institut Sainte-Catherine
Avignon, France
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Institut Universitaire du Cancer Toulouse - Oncopole
Toulouse, 31059, France
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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