Try Cryotherapy for Breast Cancer Treatment in a Clinical Trial at UT Health San Antonio!

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Medicine, radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery are common ways to treat breast cancer.

Researchers are also exploring new, possibly better treatments and procedures in breast cancer clinical trials, which are carefully controlled research studies. In some cases, clinical trials may be the only way to get access to newer treatments.

If you have breast cancer, you can find a new option for treatment by volunteering for the Evaluation of Cryotherapy and TRPA1 Receptors in Chemotherapy Induced Neuropathy at Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio.

Cryotherapy uses extreme cold to freeze and kill cancer cells and control pain.

The trial, for women ages 18 and older, including Latinas, aims to better treat women who are suffering at the hands of breast cancer.

“It’s critical that Latinas step up and volunteer for studies like the Cryotherapy Breast Cancer Clinical Trial — this kind of research can save lives of breast cancer patients now and into the future,” said Dr. Amelie Ramirez, director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research and the Salud America!  program at UT Health San Antonio. “The need for diversity in clinical trials is great. With amazing researchers and amazing volunteers, we can improve cancer outcomes for Latinas and all women.”

Join the Cryotherapy Breast Cancer Clinical Trial at Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio by filling out the “Contact the Study Team” form linked here!

What is the Cryotherapy Breast Cancer Clinical Trial at Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio? 

This therapeutic study will investigate the use of cryotherapy in breast cancer treatment.

Breast cancer is also the leading cause of death for Latinas, who face systemic barriers to screening and care, and participate in clinical trials at lower rates than their peers.

Researchers aim to see whether or not cryotherapy will prevent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)— a “set of symptoms caused by damage to nerves that control the sensations and movements of our arms, legs, hands, and feet”—and associated nail toxicities.

The therapeutic intervention will involve patients wearing an Elasto-Gel cold glove and sock on one hand and one foot (both on the right side or both on the left side). The patients will wear the glove and sock during each infusion of taxane chemotherapy.

“Right now, cryotherapy is an experimental treatment for breast cancer. Scientists are studying whether cryotherapy might be a good alternative to breast cancer surgery, as well as the types of breast cancer cryotherapy would treat most effectively,” according to breastcancer.org.

Join the Cryotherapy Breast Cancer Clinical Trial at Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio by filling out the “Contact the Study Team” form linked here! 

Who Can Volunteer for the Cryotherapy Breast Cancer Clinical Trial at Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio?

The Early Breast Cancer Clinical Trial at Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio are looking for participants who are:

• Histologically confirmed diagnosis of early-stage breast cancer (stage I-III).
• Planned to receive treatment with either adjuvant or neo-adjuvant taxane-based chemotherapy.
• Age 18 or older.
• Patients may have received any of the following therapies: surgery, chemotherapy, hormones, biologics, or radiation.
• Prior chemotherapies are permitted, except with prior treatments with taxanes, vinca alcaloids, gemcitabine, eribulin, ixabepilone, platinum drugs.
• All patients will have given signed, informed consent prior to registration.
• Patients must have a performance status of ECOG 0 or 1.

Exclusion criteria includes:

• Patients must not have received any prior taxane or platinum-based chemotherapy.
• Patients must not have a history of peripheral neuropathy (regardless of cause).
• Patient must not have a history of Raynaud’s disease.
• Patients with partial or complete limb amputations.
• Known hypersensitivity to cold.
• Patient cannot be on the following medications: GABA analogues (such as Neurontin, lyrica), tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline or nortriptyline).
• As judged by the investigator, severe uncontrolled concurrent medical conditions, psychiatric illness or social condition that would limit compliance with study requirements.
• Evidence of any significant clinical disorder or laboratory finding that makes it undesirable for the subject to participant in the clinical trial
• Must not be pregnant or breast feeding

Join the Cryotherapy Breast Cancer Clinical Trial at Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio by filling out the “Contact the Study Team” form linked here! 

What Will Volunteers Do as Part of the Cryotherapy Breast Cancer Clinical Trial at Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio?

Each patient will receive cryotherapy administered during each neurotoxic chemotherapy agent infused treatments by “Elasto gel Hypothermia gloves and socks.”

Patients will wear the glove and sock for 15 minutes prior to treatment start and 15 minutes following treatment completion, for a total of 30 minutes.

Participants can expect to participate from the beginning of baseline treatment to 6 months post chemo.

Join the Cryotherapy Breast Cancer Clinical Trial at UT Health San Antonio by filling out the “Contact the Study Team” form linked here!

Contact Now to Volunteer for the Cryotherapy Breast Cancer Clinical Trial at Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio!

Join this clinical trial by filling out the “Contact the Study Team” form linked here!

You can be like Elsada Wilson who joined a clinical trial at Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio.

In 2015, Wilson was diagnosed with pulmonary cancer.

Worse, about a year later doctors diagnosed her with an “aggressive form” of breast cancer. Doctors eventually suggested Wilson take part in one of their clinical trials for breast cancer.

Wilson said she still considered joining the clinical trial as an opportunity to participate in something that would help others — especially as she had seen the harsh toll cancer takes on those who are diagnosed with cancer during her time working as a nurse.

She found hope for herself, her family, and the future. The trial had a huge impact in her journey with breast cancer, which eventually receded.

“I felt like I was helping further studies and knowledge,” she said. “If it helps me then I’ll be able to help my family and help other people that need help. I wanted to help others. I said to myself, ‘It might be that small thing that might help another person.’ Right?”

Meanwhile, at UT Health San Antonio, Dr. Amelie Ramirez is creating new ways to encourage Latinos to volunteer for cancer and Alzheimer’s clinical trials. This work is supported by a grant from Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

Learn more about her work.

“Latinos in clinical trials are not only helping themselves, but they are also building a future with better treatments that can help their families and communities in the future,” Ramirez said.

Join the Cryotherapy Breast Cancer Clinical Trial at Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio by filling out the “Contact the Study Team” form linked here!