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RecruitingInterventionalPhase 2

RiluzolE FOr Preventing Cognitive DysfUnction in Cancer PatientS Receiving Chemotherapy (REFOCUS)

NCT ID: NCT07447050Sponsor: University of California, IrvineLast updated: 2026-03-03

Summary

This is a phase II single-arm, Phase 2a, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial determining efficacy of riluzole in preventing cognitive dysfunction in subjects with cancer, who are receiving chemotherapy.

Arms & interventions

  • DrugRiluzole

    Given PO

  • OtherPlacebo

    Given PO

Outcome measures

Primary

  • Change in circulating Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels over time in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

    Comparing mean plasma BDNF values at each patient visit point, including before the intervention, at subsequent ongoing safety monitoring visits, and at the endpoint of the study.

    Time frame: 6 months

Secondary

  • Cognitive Function Scores (FACT-Cog)

    Time frame: 6 months

  • Cognitive Function Scores (CANTAB)

    Time frame: 6 months

Eligibility criteria

Sex: AllAge: 18 Years and olderHealthy volunteers: No
Inclusion Criteria: * Female and male patients diagnosed with cancer and planned to receive an anthracycline- or platinum- containing chemotherapy regimen. * ≥18 years of age. * Life expectancy \> 6 months * Able to provide informed consent. * Patients must agree to complete and be able to complete the questionnaires and computerized assessments used to measure functional outcomes. Note: Patients who have visual impairment or have degenerative conditions (e.g. Parkinsons's disease, etc.) can participate if they cannot complete computerized assessments, as long as they can still complete the questionnaires with assistance. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of primary brain tumors or brain metastases. * Receive a primary chemotherapy regimen that does not include anthracycline- or platinum- containing chemotherapy. * Unwilling to undergo neuropsychological assessments necessary for the study. * Patients who are breastfeeding, pregnant or are planning to get pregnant during the study period. POCBP must have a negative pregnancy test at screening if there is suspicion of pregnancy. Patients who are considered not to be of childbearing potential must have a history of being postmenopausal (with a minimum of 1 year without menses), tubal ligation, or hysterectomy. * History of or suspected hypersensitivity to riluzole or to any of its excipients. * Patients taking or planned to take medications/substances with potential drug-drug interactions: pixantrone, current smoker (defined as having smoked within the last month), abametapir, cannabis, capmatinib, lapatinib, methotrexate, and levoketoconazole. * Hepatic impairment as indicated by: AST and/or ALT ≥ 3 X upper limit normal (ULN). * Have serious pre-existing medical conditions that, in the judgment of the investigator, would preclude participation in this study.

Study locations (1)

Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Irvine

Orange, California, 92868

Recruiting