For breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy, radiation dermatitis (RD) is a common occurrence that can negatively impact patients’ quality of life (QOL). RD often presents as erythema, pruritus, and/or edema and in more severe cases, skin breakage can occur, resulting in moist desquamation. StrataXRT is a silicone-based film-forming topical gel, intended to be self-applied by the patients. As a result of the product’s film-forming property, the gel can also be applied to the axilla and supraclavicular area. Due to the more versatile method of application, it is also possible that this product would be feasible for patients with large breasts, and patients treated in the prone position. This gel has the potential to reduce RD in patients with large breasts and patients receiving regional radiation.
StrataXRT has been shown to be non-inferior to Mepitel Film, a silicone dressing, in the prevention of RD. A study compared the rates of moist desquamation and CTCAE scoring in 44 breast cancer patients. Half the breast was covered with Mepitel Film and the other half with StrataXRT. The results showed no significant differences in the rate of moist desquamation or severity of RD assessed on the CTCAE between groups. There have been two randomized control trials conducted that showed promising results using StrataXRT. One of the studies found that in breast cancer patients (n=100), the use of StrataXRT significantly reduced the mean size of the radiation-induced dermatitis area (p=0.002) when compared to the control group. Additionally, RD as scored by the CTCAE was found to be significantly more severe in the control group. Another randomized control trial (n=49) demonstrated significant differences in the Erythema Index (EI) (p=0.001) and Melanin Index (MI) (p=0.005) between StrataXRT compared to the use of Xderm, a moisturizer cream. The EI and MI are alternative methods of measuring RD, using electrochemical reflectance most often with a handheld spectrophotometer.
There is limited research available on the ability of StrataXRT to prevent RD, and the available research presents major limitations and variability across studies. Measurement tools are inconsistent, and even when the scales are the same across studies, there is significant variability in the results. Further StrataXRT has not been widely adopted in North America for the prevention of RD. Therefore to validate the efficacy of StrataXRT in the prevention of severe radiation dermatitis a feasibility study using five patient populations will be conducted:
- Patients with large breasts (minimum of band size of 36 inches or cup size C) treated in the prone position-breast radiation only
- Patients with large breasts (minimum of band size of 36 inches or cup size C) treated in the supine position—breast radiation only
- Patients with locoregional breast radiation (any breast size)
- Patients with local chest wall radiation alone
- Patients with locoregional chest wall radiation
The results of the feasibility study can go on to guide the development of a large multi-center randomized controlled trial to further validate the use of StrataXRT and potentially increase the adoption rate in North America.
The primary objective is to evaluate the feasibility of StrataXRT in the prevention of RD. Secondary objectives will include patient- and clinician-reported skin reactions and the presence of moist desquamation with the use of StrataXRT. As well as patient QOL and patient and clinician satisfaction with StrataXRT.
Patients will be approached by clinical research assistants (CRA) at their planning appointment. Here the CRA will introduce the study and provide them with an information sheet to read. After all information has been reviewed if patients are interested the CRA will obtain consent. All patients will receive StrataXRT to use during their treatment. Radiation treatment will be delivered as prescribed by the treating radiation oncologist. A trained CRA will teach the patients how to apply the StrataXRT on their first day of treatment. The CRA will make sure the patients know how and where to apply the gel. Patients will be asked to self-apply the StrataXRT at least twice daily and record how many times a day they apply it using a diary given to them on their first day.
Once a week during patients’ regular visits with their treating radiation oncologist, patients and clinicians will be asked to complete assessments. On the first and last day of treatment, a photo of the patient’s breasts/chest wall will be taken. At their last treatment, they will also be asked to complete additional assessments.
After completing radiation treatment, patients will be called for the following 6 weeks to complete assessments. Patients will be asked to return for an in-person assessment for their 2-week follow-up, instead of a telephone follow-up. A photo of the breasts/chest wall will be taken at this appointment and both patients and clinicians will be asked to complete assessments. A telephone follow-up will also take place 6-months post radiation treatment.