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Terminal CancerPhase 4NCT02009306

Nasal Fentanyl and Buccal Midazolam for Dying Patients

A Phase 4 study testing PecFent and Epistatus, Standard subcutaneous medication and Epistatus Alone in people with Terminal Cancer, run by Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust at 1 site in United Kingdom.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

When patients are dying they become unable to take oral medication and if they develop symptoms (e.g. pain or agitation) they need to be given a subcutaneous injection of medication. If they are at home this requires that a District Nurse is called and it can take a long time (sometimes hours) for the Nurse to arrive. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Terminal Cancer
What is being tested?
PecFent and Epistatus, Standard subcutaneous medication and Epistatus Alone
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
20 participants
Where
1 siteUnited Kingdom
Study dates
23 Jan 2017to 28 Feb 2018
Phase
Phase 4
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Adult hospice in-patients fitting the following criteria will be approached to see if they are willing to participate in the study:
  • diagnosis of terminal cancer and thought to have an estimated prognosis of between 1 and 2 weeks
  • have capacity to consent to participation
  • patients who, in the last 24 hours, have experienced at least one episode of breakthrough pain FOR ARMS 1 OR 2 (RCT) For Arm 3 must have had 1 episode of agitation necessitating the use of a benzodiazepine in the last 24 hours
  • taking 60mg or more of oral morphine (or its equivalent) per 24 hours FOR ARMS 1 OR 2 (RCT) IF taking less than this dose of opioid could be enrolled in Arm 3 (Epistatus alone - change in protocol implemented 28/11/17
  • have carers or family members who would be: willing to give the study medication to the patient likely to be at the hospice at least 50% of the time so that they are likely to be present to administer medication.

Who cannot join

  • patients / carers / family members who in the opinion of the clinical team would be too distressed by the idea of participation
  • patients with disease of the nasal/buccal mucosa preventing effective absorption of medication
  • families who are unable to administer breakthrough medication e.g. problems with dexterity
  • history of substance abuse - patient or carer / family.
  • people who who might not adequately understand verbal explanations or written information given in English. The pilot is only recruiting 20 patients and Gloucestershire has a only a very small percentage of people who are not English speaking. It has been decided that it is not cost effective to fund translation for this pilot although this information will have to be taken into account when planning a larger study. We will capture information on the numbers of patients that may have been excluded and the languages that might have been needed.
  • Participated in a medicinal trial within the last four months following the guidance from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United Kingdom1 site
  • Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice

    Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 0QJ

Other trials in United Kingdom

About this study

Official title: Can Nasal Fentanyl and Buccal Midazolam Give Better Symptom Control for Dying Patients When Compared With Standard Subcutaneous Medication? Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial and Qualitative Interview Study.

When patients are dying they become unable to take oral medication and if they develop symptoms (e.g. pain or agitation) they need to be given a subcutaneous injection of medication. If they are at home this requires that a District Nurse is called and it can take a long time (sometimes hours) for the Nurse to arrive. This can be a very stressful time for the patient and family.

There are 2 drug preparations which could potentially be given by family members in the home:

Read more

Nasal fentanyl (PecFent) Buccal midazolam (Epistatus) If these preparations helped symptoms this would give much quicker symptom control for patients and might mean the District Nurse visit was not needed.

In advance of a community based randomised trial of these modes of administration, it is important to assess the feasibility of such an approach in terms of carer acceptability and patient tolerability as well as determine appropriate sample sizes and sampling methods. There are 2 work packages which would help assess feasibility of a community trial:

  1. An open label randomised controlled trial comparing the use of PecFent with or without Epistatus versus standard subcutaneous breakthrough medication for the management of breakthrough pain (with or without agitation) in dying hospice patients who either remain in the hospice or go home.
  2. A qualitative interview study to capture the thoughts of relatives of these patients about the use of these preparations.
Read the detailed description

This will be an open-label, randomized, controlled feasibility pilot study to evaluate whether using nasal fentanyl (PecFent: 100, 200, 400 or 800 mcg) alone or in combination with buccal midazolam (Epistatus: 2.5, 5 or 10 mg) has the possibility to give better breakthrough symptom control to dying patients when compared with standard subcutaneous medication (Figure 1 A and B).

Each subject and their carers/family members will receive verbal and written information followed by signing of the Informed Consent Forms (ICFs). The study is divided into two arms. In both arms patients will receive standard regular oral or subcutaneous medication for relieving non-breakthrough symptoms. In the standard care arm, patients will receive standard as needed medication (SANM) administered orally, sublingually or subcutaneously for breakthrough symptoms. The experimental arm will consist of two stages: in Stage 1 of the study, PecFent will be given to patients in order to treat breakthrough pain instead of subcutaneous opioids. PecFent will be titrated in order to establish an effective treatment dose to manage pain. SANM administered orally, sublingually or subcutaneously will be used to treat agitation and other symptoms.

After the effective treatment dose of PecFent has been established patients will enter stage 2. Patients will not move to stage 2 if the treatment dose of PecFent is not deemed effective. Stage 2 will test a range of doses of Epistatus in terms of efficacy in treating agitation alone instead of subcutaneous midazolam (or in combination with the effective treatment dose of PecFent for pain and agitation).

SANM will be used to treat other symptoms. Assessment of effectiveness of any as needed medication will be conducted at 30 minutes from administration. If PecFent, Epistatus or a combination of both is ineffective, administration of SANM will be considered. Further opioid cannot be given within one hour but benzodiazepine can be given within 30 minutes as is standard practice in this setting. Thus, patients in the experimental arm will receive symptom relief regardless the efficacy of test drugs.

Conditions
Terminal Cancer
Being tested
PecFent and Epistatus, Standard subcutaneous medication, Epistatus Alone
Keywords
Palliative, Symptom control, Hospice, Opioid, Benzodiazepine

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • PecFent and EpistatusDrug

    Also called Fentanyl and Midazolam

    PecFent will be supplied by Archimedes Pharma as two strengths of nasal spray solution at 1000 or 4000 mcg/mL fentanyl (as citrate). One spray contains 100 mcg or 400 mcg fentanyl (as citrate). Each bottle contains 1.55 ml ensuring delivery of 8 sprays of 100 or 400 mcg fentanyl (as citrate). PecFent is a commercially available product and packaging will be in accordance with the manufacturing authorisations (EU/1/10/644/001, EU/1/10/644/002, EU/1/10/644/005, EU/1/10/644/003, EU/1/10/644/004, EU/1/10/644/006).

    Epistatus will be supplied by Special Products Ltd. as buccal solution, packed in bottles containing solution for up to 4 x 1 ml doses, as per "Specials" licence. A pack also includes 4 x oral syringes used to administer the solution to the buccal cavity on either side of the mouth.

  • Standard subcutaneous medicationDrug

    Also called Subcutaneous opioids and midazolam

    Subcutaneous as needed medication will include:

    • Opioids for pain or dyspnoea
    • Diamorphine
    • Oxycodone
    • Fentanyl
    • Benzodiazepine and / or anti-psychotic for agitation
    • Midazolam
    • Levomepromazine
    • Haloperidol Anti-emetic for nausea
    • Cyclizine
    • Metoclopramide
    • Haloperidol
    • Levomepromazine
    • Anti-secretory drug for respiratory secretions
    • Glycopyrronium
    • Hyoscine butylbromide
    • Hyoscine hydrobromide
  • Epistatus AloneDrug

    Also called Midazolam

    Epistatus will be supplied by Special Products Ltd. as buccal solution, packed in bottles containing solution for up to 4 x 1 ml doses, as per "Specials" licence. A pack also includes 4 x oral syringes used to administer the solution to the buccal cavity on either side of the mouth.

Study groups in NCT02009306
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
PecFent and EpistatusExperimentalMedication administered by family / carer for symptoms
Receives: Drug: PecFent and Epistatus; Drug: Standard subcutaneous medication
Standard subcutaneous medicationActive comparatorStandard subcutaneous medication - diamophine and / or midazolam administered by nursing staff
Receives: Drug: Standard subcutaneous medication
Epistatus AloneExperimentalFrom 28/11/17 following approval from sponsor, ethics committee and MHRA a 3rd observational arm was introduced: Epistatus administered PRN by family / carer for symptoms
Receives: Drug: Standard subcutaneous medication; Drug: Epistatus Alone

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Time to adequate symptom control ('comfortable') from need for breakthrough medication (in minutes) according to patient (where possible), relatives and staff.

    Data will be captured by patient and/or carer and/or staff with regard to time from need for breakthrough medication (recognition of symptom) to adequate symptom control ('comfortable').

    Measured: 30 minutes

Secondary outcomes (6)
  1. Time (in minutes) from need for breakthrough medication (recognition of symptom) to administration of drug.

    Data will be captured by patient and/or carer and/or staff with regard to time from need for breakthrough medication (recognition of symptom) to administration of drug.

    Measured: 30 minutes

  2. Need for additional oral or subcutaneous medication

    Data will be captured by patient and/or carer and/or staff with regard to need for additional oral or subcutaneous medication

    Measured: 30 minutes

  3. Time (in minutes) to recurrence of symptoms according to patient (where possible), relatives and staff

    Data will be captured by patient and/or carer and/or staff with regard to symptoms recurring.

    Measured: 4 hours

  4. Patient comfort as measured by the modified Palliative care Outcome Scale Symptom list (POS-S) (patient /carer/ staff versions)

    The modified Palliative care Outcome Scale Symptom list (POS-S) (patient /carer/ staff versions) at approximately the same time daily (depending on when family / carers are likely to be present).

    For this study the Palliative care Outcome Scale Symptom list (known as POS-S) has been modified by removing the question on 'Any other symptoms' and with the addition of the anxiety question from the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS).

    Measured: 30 minutes

  5. Visual analogue scales for pain and agitation completed by patient (where possible), relatives and staff at baseline (Time 0), 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 minutes for 1 breakthrough episode per day

    Visual analogue scales for pain and agitation completed by patient (where possible), relatives and staff at baseline (Time X), time 0 (dose), 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 minutes (post-dose calculated from time 0) for 1 breakthrough episode per day

    Measured: 30 minutes

  6. Adverse events

    Adverse event information will be collected by research staff.

    Measured: 4 weeks after enrolment

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted11 Dec 2013 (estimated)
  2. Study start23 Jan 2017
  3. Primary completion28 Feb 2018
  4. Study completion28 Feb 2018

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
20 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02009306
Sponsor's protocol ID
PecEp1
Status last verified
May 2018
First submitted
18 Nov 2013
Last updated
9 May 2018
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Happy for researchers to contact us once data has been analysed and published

Publications

  • Perkins P, Parkinson A, Akyea RK, Husbands E. Nasal fentanyl alone plus buccal midazolam: an open-label, randomised, controlled feasibility study in the dying. BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2020 Sep;10(3):300-303. doi: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2019-002029. Epub 2020 May 6.

    PubMed 32376759

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 4 study testing PecFent and Epistatus, Standard subcutaneous medication and Epistatus Alone in people with Terminal Cancer, run by Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust at 1 site in United Kingdom.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 May 2018. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United Kingdom. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Time to adequate symptom control ('comfortable') from need for breakthrough medication (in minutes) according to patient (where possible), relatives and staff. (time frame: 30 minutes). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02009306, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 May 2018.

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