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Results of 20- versus 45-min post-infusion scalp cooling time in the prevention of docetaxel-induced alopecia

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Abstract

Purpose

For patients, chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is one of the most distressing side effects of treatment. Scalp cooling can prevent or minimise CIA; the results may depend on the duration of cooling. Since a previous study on post-infusion cooling time in patients treated with docetaxel chemotherapy found no difference between 90 and 45 min, we investigated whether hair-preserving results could be maintained with a shorter post-infusion cooling time.

Methods

In this prospective, multi-centre randomised study, 134 patients who started treatment with docetaxel 75–100 mg/m2 in a 3-weekly schedule were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to a post-infusion cooling time of 45 or 20 min. The primary end point was the need for a wig or other head covering as assessed by the patient. A visual analogue scale (VAS) with a range from 0 (not tolerable) to 10 (very tolerable) was used to measure tolerance.

Results

Scalp cooling results were similar for 45- and 20-min post-infusion cooling times. Thirty-three out of 45 patients (73 %) treated with 20 min of post-infusion cooling did not need a form of head covering, compared with 41 out of 52 patients (79 %) treated with 45 min of post-infusion cooling (p = 0.5). The procedure was well tolerated (mean visual analogue score 8.3). Six patients stopped due to intolerance during the first treatment cycle.

Conclusions

A 20-min post-infusion cooling time is effective and tolerable for patients treated with scalp cooling to prevent docetaxel-induced alopecia.

Trial registration

Trialregister.nl Identifier, NTR 1856.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by Sanofi Aventis. Sanofi Aventis sponsored some of the researcher’s working hours. It did not contribute to the study design, data collection, analyses and interpretation of data or the writing of the report. The decision to submit the results for publication was made by the authors. Special thanks go to all participating patients. The authors would like to thank A. Willemse (IKNL) for her contribution to data collection. We thank all our colleagues who participated in this study: Dr. Seinen, Ziekenhuis Zevenaar, Dr. Potthoff, Sint Lucas Ziekenhuis, Dr. Peters, Catharina-ziekenhuis, Dr. van Bochove, De Heel—Zaans Medisch Centrum, Dr. vd Velden, Tergooiziekenhuizen, Dr. Roerdink, TweeSteden ziekenhuis, Dr. Nijziel, Máxima Medisch Centrum, Dr. v Riel, Sint Elisabeth Ziekenhuis, Dr. de Jong, Sint Antonius Ziekenhuis, Dr. v.d.Vegt, Mesos Medisch Centrum, Dr. v.d. Torren, Groene Hart Ziekenhuis, Dr. Derleijn, Elkerliek Ziekenhuis, Dr. Haasjes, Bethesda Ziekenhuis, Dr. Harskamp, Flevoziekenhuis, Dr. Muller, Slingeland Ziekenhuis, Dr. Pruijt, Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis, Dr. Smeets, Sint Anna ziekenhuis, Dr. Kuijper, Kennemer Gasthuis and Dr. Erdkamp, Orbis Medisch Centrum.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology, Medical Centre Alkmaar, PO Box 501, 1800, AM, Alkmaar, The Netherlands

    Manon M. C. Komen

  2. Give Hair a Chance Foundation, Research Department, Knowledge Institute Scalp Cooling, PO Box 231, 5600, AE, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    Wim P. M. Breed

  3. Department of Medical Oncology, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066, CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Carolien H. Smorenburg

  4. Science Department, Medical Centre Alkmaar, PO Box 501, 1800, AM, Alkmaar, The Netherlands

    Tjeerd van der Ploeg

  5. Department of Internal Medicine, Twee Steden ziekenhuis, Dr. Deelenlaan 5, 5042, AD, Tilburg, The Netherlands

    S. H. Goey

  6. Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300, RC, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Jacobus J. M. van der Hoeven & Johan W. R. Nortier

  7. Research Department, The Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation, PO Box 231, 5600, AE, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    Corina J. G. van den Hurk

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  1. Manon M. C. Komen
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  2. Wim P. M. Breed
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  8. Corina J. G. van den Hurk
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Manon M. C. Komen.

Ethics declarations

The study was approved by an independent ethics committee and institution review board. All procedures were conducted in accordance with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its subsequent amendments. Written informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

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Komen, M.M.C., Breed, W.P.M., Smorenburg, C.H. et al. Results of 20- versus 45-min post-infusion scalp cooling time in the prevention of docetaxel-induced alopecia. Support Care Cancer 24, 2735–2741 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3084-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3084-7

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