Spots Global Cancer Trial Database for Theophylline in Treating Cancer Patients With Shortness of Breath

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Trial Identification

Brief Title: Theophylline in Treating Cancer Patients With Shortness of Breath

Official Title: A Phase III Double-Blind Study of Theophylline Versus Placebo for the Treatment of Dyspnea in Cancer Patients

Study ID: NCT00003684

Conditions

Pulmonary Complications

Quality of Life

Unspecified Adult Solid Tumor, Protocol Specific

Interventions

theophylline

quality-of-life assessment

Study Description

Brief Summary: RATIONALE: Theophylline may help to relieve shortness of breath in patients who have cancer. It is not yet known whether theophylline is more effective than no further treatment for shortness of breath. PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to determine the effectiveness of theophylline in treating shortness of breath in patients who have cancer.

Detailed Description: OBJECTIVES: I. Determine whether theophylline will improve the dyspnea rating of patients with cancer who are short of breath and have evidence of respiratory muscle weakness. II. Determine whether this drug will improve the ability to perform daily activities in this group of patients. III. Determine whether this drug will improve objective measures of lung function (e.g., FEV-1, FVC) and maximum inspiratory pressure in these patients. IV. Determine whether the serum theophylline level is related to the magnitude of the effect that is observed in this patient population. V. Determine whether this drug will improve a global rating of quality of life in this patient group. OUTLINE: This is a randomized, double blind, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to those who can complete a 6 minute walking test versus those who cannot. Patients receive either oral theophylline or placebo once daily for 3 days. In the absence of dose limiting toxicity (DLT), patients receive an increased dose for an additional 4 days. In the presence of DLT, patients receive a decreased dose or treatment is stopped. Following completion of the 7 day study period, patients may be given the option to continue on active drug or placebo for 1 additional month unless toxic side effects develop. Quality of life is assessed on days 1 and 8 and at the end of the additional 1 month period. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 60 patients (30 in each arm) will be accrued for this study.