Prophylactic Topical Agents in Reducing Radiation-Induced Dermatitis in Patients With Non-inflammatory Breast Cancer

This randomized pilot phase II trial studies and compares prophylactic topical agents in reducing radiation-induced dermatitis in patients with non-inflammatory breast cancer or breast cancer in situ. The prophylactic topical agents, such as curcumin-based gel or HPR Plus, may reduce the severity of the radiation-induced dermatitis by minimizing water loss and inflammation during radiation therapy.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To investigate the effectiveness of Curcumin gel (curcumin-based gel) or HPR Plus™ in reducing radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Subjects with a diagnosis of non-inflammatory breast cancer or carcinoma in situ
* Subjects must be prescribed and scheduled for "conventional fractionated" RT without concurrent chemotherapy; bolus and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) are permitted; lymph node irradiation (i.e., internal mammary nodes, supraclavicular nodes, axillary nodes, etc) as part of their prescribed radiation therapy are permitted; conventional fractionated radiation therapy regimens eligible for study are described below:

  * Minimal (min) total dose: whole breast: 44 gray (Gy); breast boost: 10 Gy; tumor bed = whole breast +/- boost: 50.0 Gy; lymph nodes: 45 Gy
  * Maximal (max) total dose: whole breast: 50.4 Gy; breast boost: 20 Gy; tumor bed = whole breast +/- boost: 66.0 Gy; lymph nodes: 50.4 Gy
  * Min dose per fraction: whole breast: 1.8 Gy; breast boost: 2.0 Gy; tumor bed = whole breast +/- boost: 1.8 Gy; lymph nodes: 1.8 Gy
  * Max dose per fraction: whole breast: 2.0 Gy; breast boost: 2.0 Gy; tumor bed = whole breast +/- boost: 2.0 Gy; lymph nodes: 2.0 Gy
  * Min # of fractions: whole breast: 22 Gy; breast boost: 5 Gy; tumor bed = whole breast +/- boost: 25 Gy; lymph nodes: 25 Gy
  * Max # of fractions: whole breast: 28 Gy; breast boost: 10 Gy; tumor bed = whole breast +/- boost: 36 Gy; lymph nodes: 28 Gy
  * Min # of sessions: whole breast: 22 Gy; breast boost: 5 Gy; tumor bed = whole breast +/- boost: 25 Gy; lymph nodes: 25 Gy
  * Max # of sessions: whole breast: 28 Gy; breast boost: 10 Gy; tumor bed = whole breast +/- boost: 36 Gy; lymph nodes: 28 Gy
* Subjects may or may not have had surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy) prior to RT; (NOTE: surgery is not required for eligibility)
* Subjects may have had chemotherapy prior to radiation; a minimum of two weeks is required between end of chemotherapy and start of RT
* Subjects may be currently prescribed hormone treatment or Herceptin therapy
* Subjects must be able to read, speak, and understand English
* Subjects must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document
* Subjects must agree to not use any other topical agents on skin in the radiation treatment area during the course of this trial; subjects should only use topical agents for the study (i.e., topical intervention or standard care agents) supplied by the study personnel and/or treating physician

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant females are ineligible; all subjects of childbearing potential will be asked if they are pregnant or could be pregnant; the patient must respond "no" to continue with radiation and to participate in this clinical study
* Subjects with bilateral breast cancer are not eligible
* Subjects receiving the short-course fractionation radiation therapy (i.e., 16 sessions or 20 sessions at 2.4 to 2.6 Gy fractions per session, with or without boost)
* Subject is currently on anti-EGFR (human epidermal growth factor receptor) therapy, such as Iressa (gefitinib) or Erbitux (cetuximab, C225)
* Previous radiation to the chest or breast
* Subjects with breast reconstruction prior to RT
* Previous diagnosis of radiosensitivity disorder (i.e., ataxia telangiectasia)
* Previous diagnosis of collagen vascular disorder or vasculitis
* Presence of unhealed surgical wounds in chest or breast region and/or breast infection
* Current daily application of a prescribed topical product to the skin within the RT area for an unrelated skin condition that cannot be discontinued during the participation in this clinical trial
* Presence of any active dermatological issues in radiation treatment area (i.e., fungal skin infection, dermatitis, psoriasis plaques, etc)