Non-invasive physical plasma for preventing radiation dermatitis in breast cancer: study protocol for a phase 3 randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial (NIPP-RD III)

Abstract Background Radiation dermatitis (RD) is the most common side effect of breast irradiation, yet only few potent preventative and therapeutic options are available. Following encouraging results from a phase 1 and 2 trial on the topical use of non-invasive physical plasma (NIPP), a very well-...

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Main Authors: Cas Stefaan Dejonckheere, Julian Philipp Layer, Gustavo Renato Sarria, Shari Wiegreffe, Andrea Renate Glasmacher, Younèss Nour, Davide Scafa, Thomas Müdder, Teresa Anzböck, Frank Anton Giordano, Matthias Bernhard Stope, Leonard Christopher Schmeel, Eleni Gkika
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Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:Trials
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-025-08806-w
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author Cas Stefaan Dejonckheere
Julian Philipp Layer
Gustavo Renato Sarria
Shari Wiegreffe
Andrea Renate Glasmacher
Younèss Nour
Davide Scafa
Thomas Müdder
Teresa Anzböck
Frank Anton Giordano
Matthias Bernhard Stope
Leonard Christopher Schmeel
Eleni Gkika
author_facet Cas Stefaan Dejonckheere
Julian Philipp Layer
Gustavo Renato Sarria
Shari Wiegreffe
Andrea Renate Glasmacher
Younèss Nour
Davide Scafa
Thomas Müdder
Teresa Anzböck
Frank Anton Giordano
Matthias Bernhard Stope
Leonard Christopher Schmeel
Eleni Gkika
author_sort Cas Stefaan Dejonckheere
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Radiation dermatitis (RD) is the most common side effect of breast irradiation, yet only few potent preventative and therapeutic options are available. Following encouraging results from a phase 1 and 2 trial on the topical use of non-invasive physical plasma (NIPP), a very well-tolerated physical treatment option to promote tissue regeneration generated from ambient air, we now present the study protocol for a planned phase 3 trial. Methods In this randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial, patients with breast cancer will be randomised (1:1) to receive either 120 s of NIPP or sham treatment with an identical device daily during hypofractionated breast irradiation following breast-conserving surgery. Standard skin care with urea lotion will be applied twice daily to the whole breast by all patients. Acute skin toxicity will be assessed weekly and includes clinician- (CTCAE v5.0) and patient-reported (modified RISRAS), and objective (spectrophotometry) assessments. The trial has started enrolment in the first quarter of 2024 and is projected to recruit 140 patients over 36 months. Discussion This randomised controlled trial will recruit a homogeneous patient collective in terms of RD risk and aims to unequivocally establish the impact of NIPP on RD by employing a robust trial design, incorporating both the patient’s perspective and validated objective outcome measures. If the addition of NIPP proves useful, it might reduce both physical and psychological distress caused by RD in numerous breast cancer patients and beyond. Trial registration German Clinical Trial Registry DRKS00032560 (January 9th 2024).
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spelling doaj-art-f14dbb9952e6454984d9d19b8ab1263f2025-08-20T02:52:19ZengBMCTrials1745-62152025-03-0126111010.1186/s13063-025-08806-wNon-invasive physical plasma for preventing radiation dermatitis in breast cancer: study protocol for a phase 3 randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial (NIPP-RD III)Cas Stefaan Dejonckheere0Julian Philipp Layer1Gustavo Renato Sarria2Shari Wiegreffe3Andrea Renate Glasmacher4Younèss Nour5Davide Scafa6Thomas Müdder7Teresa Anzböck8Frank Anton Giordano9Matthias Bernhard Stope10Leonard Christopher Schmeel11Eleni Gkika12Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital BonnDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital BonnDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital BonnDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital BonnDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital BonnDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital BonnDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital BonnDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital BonnDepartment of Gynaecology and Gynaecological Oncology, University Hospital BonnDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center MannheimDepartment of Gynaecology and Gynaecological Oncology, Physical Plasma Laboratories, University Hospital BonnDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital BonnDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital BonnAbstract Background Radiation dermatitis (RD) is the most common side effect of breast irradiation, yet only few potent preventative and therapeutic options are available. Following encouraging results from a phase 1 and 2 trial on the topical use of non-invasive physical plasma (NIPP), a very well-tolerated physical treatment option to promote tissue regeneration generated from ambient air, we now present the study protocol for a planned phase 3 trial. Methods In this randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial, patients with breast cancer will be randomised (1:1) to receive either 120 s of NIPP or sham treatment with an identical device daily during hypofractionated breast irradiation following breast-conserving surgery. Standard skin care with urea lotion will be applied twice daily to the whole breast by all patients. Acute skin toxicity will be assessed weekly and includes clinician- (CTCAE v5.0) and patient-reported (modified RISRAS), and objective (spectrophotometry) assessments. The trial has started enrolment in the first quarter of 2024 and is projected to recruit 140 patients over 36 months. Discussion This randomised controlled trial will recruit a homogeneous patient collective in terms of RD risk and aims to unequivocally establish the impact of NIPP on RD by employing a robust trial design, incorporating both the patient’s perspective and validated objective outcome measures. If the addition of NIPP proves useful, it might reduce both physical and psychological distress caused by RD in numerous breast cancer patients and beyond. Trial registration German Clinical Trial Registry DRKS00032560 (January 9th 2024).https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-025-08806-wRadiation dermatitisRadiation therapyBreast cancerNon-invasive physical plasmaCold atmospheric plasmaRandomised controlled trial
spellingShingle Cas Stefaan Dejonckheere
Julian Philipp Layer
Gustavo Renato Sarria
Shari Wiegreffe
Andrea Renate Glasmacher
Younèss Nour
Davide Scafa
Thomas Müdder
Teresa Anzböck
Frank Anton Giordano
Matthias Bernhard Stope
Leonard Christopher Schmeel
Eleni Gkika
Non-invasive physical plasma for preventing radiation dermatitis in breast cancer: study protocol for a phase 3 randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial (NIPP-RD III)
Trials
Radiation dermatitis
Radiation therapy
Breast cancer
Non-invasive physical plasma
Cold atmospheric plasma
Randomised controlled trial
title Non-invasive physical plasma for preventing radiation dermatitis in breast cancer: study protocol for a phase 3 randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial (NIPP-RD III)
title_full Non-invasive physical plasma for preventing radiation dermatitis in breast cancer: study protocol for a phase 3 randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial (NIPP-RD III)
title_fullStr Non-invasive physical plasma for preventing radiation dermatitis in breast cancer: study protocol for a phase 3 randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial (NIPP-RD III)
title_full_unstemmed Non-invasive physical plasma for preventing radiation dermatitis in breast cancer: study protocol for a phase 3 randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial (NIPP-RD III)
title_short Non-invasive physical plasma for preventing radiation dermatitis in breast cancer: study protocol for a phase 3 randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial (NIPP-RD III)
title_sort non invasive physical plasma for preventing radiation dermatitis in breast cancer study protocol for a phase 3 randomised double blind placebo controlled trial nipp rd iii
topic Radiation dermatitis
Radiation therapy
Breast cancer
Non-invasive physical plasma
Cold atmospheric plasma
Randomised controlled trial
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-025-08806-w
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