Steroid Therapy for Radiation-Associated Cranial Neuropathy

This study is for adult survivors of oropharyngeal (throat) cancer who have developed late radiation-associated lower cranial neuropathy (nerve damage) at least two years after their radiation treatment. It's testing how well and safely steroid medications, prednisone (taken by mouth) or methylprednisolone (given intravenously), can improve symptoms of this nerve damage. Researchers want to find the best dose of these steroids that helps with symptoms. They will also look at how these treatments affect your symptoms, daily function, and quality of life. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status and plans to enroll about 35 participants.

Study design
This is a phase I/II study, starting with a dose-escalation phase, and plans to enroll about 35 participants.
What's involved
Participants will receive prednisone orally or methylprednisolone intravenously for 5 days, followed by a taper for prednisone over 2 weeks. You will also complete quality-of-life assessments and questionnaires.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary endpoints are measured up to 3 weeks after starting treatment.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT04151082

High Dose Steroid Therapy (Prednisone or Methylprednisolone) for the Improvement of Symptoms of Late Radiation-Associated Lower Cranial Neuropathy in Oropharyngeal Cancer Survivors

Recruiting
PHASE1Ages 18+InterventionalSupportive care
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
~35 participants
Updated 2026-06-26 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:MethylprednisolonePrednisoneQuality-of-Life AssessmentQuestionnaire Administration

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Maximum tolerated dose
Measured over Up to 3 weeks
+1 more outcome measured
Cranial Nerve Disorder
Head and Neck Carcinoma
Oropharyngeal Carcinoma

NCT04151082

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • M D Anderson Cancer Center

    Houston, Texasstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

  • Katherine A Hutcheson, BA,MS,PHD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

  • Maximum tolerated doseUp to 3 weeks
  • Change in MD Anderson Symptom Inventory - Head and Neck (MDASI-HN) top 5 meanBaseline up to 3 weeks