Randomized Phase II Study of Omega-3-Fatty Acid on Joint Symptoms Induced by Aromatase Inhibitors in Breast Cancer Patients
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age >21 years
- Postmenopausal status defined as cessation of menses for >1 year or FSH >20 mIU/mL or
bilateral oophorectomy.
- History of stage I, II or III hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, without
metastatic disease
- Currently taking a third-generation aromatase inhibitor for at least 3 months
- Clinical symptoms of knee and/or hand joint pain and/or stiffness for at least 3
months prior to study entry
- Ongoing musculoskeletal pain/stiffness in hand and/or knee joints (50 or higher on
the 100 point global assessment VAS) that started or increased since initiating
aromatase inhibitor therapy, and has been present for at least 3 months.
- Patients must agree to refrain from use of omega-3-fatty acid from sources outside
of this study
- If taking bisphosphonates, on a stable dose for at least 1 month and tolerating the
dose. Patients must agree to refrain from initiating bisphosphonate use during the
course of the study, therefore it is recommended that routine bone density testing be
performed prior to enrollment or after completing trial.
- ECOG performance status 0-2.
- Signed informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Use of omega-3-fatty acid within the past three (3) months
- Concurrent medical/arthritic disease that could confound or interfere with evaluation
of pain or efficacy including: Inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis,
systemic lupus, spondyloarthropathy, psoriatic arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica),
gout, episodes of acute monarticular arthritis clinically consistent with pseudogout,
Paget's disease affecting the study joint, a history of septic arthritis or avascular
necrosis or intra-articular fracture of the study joint, Wilson's disease,
hemochromatosis, alkaptonuria, or primary osteochondromatosis.
- History of significant collateral ligament, anterior cruciate ligament or meniscal
injury of the index joint requiring surgery or non-weight bearing (requiring use of
crutches or cane) for more than 3 weeks (minor ligamentous injury prior to 6 months
is not an exclusion).
- History of bone fracture or surgery of the afflicted knees and/or hands within 6
months prior to study entry.
- History of any illness that, in the opinion of the investigator, might confound the
results of the study or pose additional risk to the patient.
- Allergy to, or history of significant clinical or laboratory adverse experience
associated with omega-3 fatty acid
- Inability to understand and complete study questionnaires including questions
requiring a visual analog scale (VAS) response.
- Inability to understand the study procedures and/or give written informed consent.
- Alcohol use in excess of 3 mixed drinks/day.
- Corticosteroid treatment as follows:
1. Use of oral corticosteroids within the previous four weeks.
2. Exposure to intramuscular corticosteroids within one month prior to entering the
study.
3. Administration of intra-articular steroids to the study joint, within 3 months
of Randomization Visit.
4. Administration of intra-articular steroids to any other joint, within 3 months
of Randomization Visit.
- Intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid or congeners into the study joint within
12 months.
- Topical analgesics (e.g., capsaicin preparations) to the study joint, or any oral
analgesics (e.g., opiates, tramadol; with the exception of ibuprofen and
acetaminophen) within 2 weeks of Randomization Visit or during the study.
- Implementation of any other medical therapy for arthritis within one month prior to
entry.
- Other medications, unrelated to the patient's joint pain/stiffness must have been
used at a stable dosage for at least 1 month. In addition, it should be anticipated
that the dose of the concomitant medication will be stable during the entire
treatment period.
- Participation in another clinical study with an investigational agent within the last
4 weeks.
- Exposure to omega-3-fatty acid within 3 months of Baseline Visit.