Overview
To learn if topical capsaicin can help relieve pain from CIPN and improve gait (the pattern of walking) in patients.
Description
Primary Objectives
• To assess changes in Gait (specifically looking at velocity) before and after use of topical capsaicin.
Secondary Objectives
- To assess Pain intensity numerical rating scale (NRS) scores in chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) participants before and after use of capsaicin 8% topical patch.
- To assess changes in quantitative sensory testing (QST) before and after use of topical capsaicin.
- To assess skin punch biopsy to compare the integrity of epidermal nerve fibers and Meissner's corpuscles (MC) in CIPN patients before and after use of topical capsaicin (optional).
- To assess pain tumor related neuropathy assessment scale (TNAS) before and after topical capsaicin
- To assess pain interference using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), before and after topical capsaicin
- To assess Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC)
- To assess the rate of adverse events and tolerability of topical capsaicin as reported by participants
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Participants diagnosed with pain of the lower extremity from chronic (\>90 days duration) CIPN (due to either vinca alkaloids, taxanes, bortezomib, thalidomide, platinum-based compounds), seen at MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Participants reporting baseline pain ≥ 4 (0-10 scale, NRS)
- Participants age 18+
- Participants who have completed chemotherapy within the last year at the time of enrollment.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Participants with cognitive dysfunction
- Participants with recent history (\<6 months) of drug or alcohol abuse
- Participants with open skin lesion or undergoing antibiotic therapy for local for systemic infection
- Participants with allergies to capsaicin or adhesives
- Pregnant participants