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Aromatherapy Combined With Standard Antiemetic Therapy vs Standard Therapy Alone for Prevention of CINV in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Highly Emetogenic Chemotherapy
Sponsor: Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University
Summary
This phase III, multicenter, randomized, open-label trial evaluates whether aromatherapy plus standard antiemetic therapy improves complete response (CR) of CINV compared with standard therapy alone in breast cancer patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC). Despite guideline-recommended triple prophylaxis (5-HT3 antagonist, NK-1 antagonist, dexamethasone), 30-50% of patients still develop delayed CINV. Aromatherapy with lemon, lavender, and peppermint essential oils may provide additive benefit through olfactory-limbic and vagal pathways, but phase III evidence is lacking. 374 patients (aged 18-80) scheduled for at least two HEC cycles will be randomized 1:1, stratified by prior CINV. On chemo day, aromatherapy starts 30 min before and continues until 2 h after chemotherapy; on days 2-5, inhalation is at least 2 h daily.Primary endpoint: complete response (no vomiting, no rescue antiemetic) over 0-120 h. Key secondary endpoints: acute and delayed CR rates, complete/total control rates, time to treatment failure, quality of life (FLIE), anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and safety. Exploratory: plasma GDF15 dynamics and predictive value.
Official title: A Phase III Randomized Controlled Trial of Aromatherapy Combined With Standard Antiemetic Therapy vs Standard Therapy Alone for Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV) in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Highly Emetogenic Chemotherapy
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 80 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
374
Start Date
2026-08-18
Completion Date
2030-08-30
Last Updated
2026-08-12
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Aromatherapy
Patients receive aromatherapy via an ultrasonic diffuser combined with standard triple antiemetic therapy.
Standard triple antiemetic therapy
Standard prophylaxis comprising a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, an NK-1 receptor antagonist, and dexamethasone, administered according to international guideline recommendations.