1068GCC Evaluate Efficacy & Explore Mechanism of Acupuncture in Treating Bortezomib-induced Peripheral Neuropathy (BIPN) in Multiple Myeloma

Not Applicable

Completed

Brief Summary: Patients are asked to be in this study if they have multiple myeloma and are having tingling, numbness and pain from taking bortezomib (velcade®). Patients who have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma often take bortezomib (velcade®).

This research is being done to find out if acupuncture can reduce the nerve pain, tingling, and/or numbness patients experience due to bortezomib (velcade®).

Acupuncture is a medical technique of inserting very thin needles into the "energy points" on the body with the aim to restore health and well-being. It has been used widely to treat pain, such as lower back pain and nerve pain. In this study we will see if acupuncture can be used to ease nerve pain and tingling, numbness that is caused by bortezomib.

Detailed Description: Information gained from this clinical trial will provide insight into the efficacy and mechanism of acupuncture in reducing Bortezomib-induced Peripheral Neuropathy (BIPN) in multiple myeloma patients. It will examine the effect of acupuncture on serum proinflammatory cytokine and β-endorphin levels to further understand the mechanism of acupuncture on a molecular level. This study is the first clinical trial studying the effect of acupuncture on treating BIPN. It is also the first study to explore the mechanism of acupuncture through frequent small amount of blood draws at six time points to detect changes in proinflammatory cytokines and β-endorphins. It has the potential to identify a minimal risk non-pharmacological intervention to alleviate BIPN symptoms, and to significantly improve our understanding of the mechanism of acupuncture.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Documented diagnosis of multiple myeloma.
Greater than or equal to grade 2 BIPN as defined by the National Cancer Institute - -Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC) 4.0.
BIPN symptoms persist after bortezomib has been discontinued.
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-3.
Men and women who are ≥ 18 years old
The patient is aware of the nature of his or her diagnosis, understands the study regimen, its requirements, risks, and discomforts, and is able and willing to sign an informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria

Prior acupuncture within the past month.
Life expectancy is < 3 months.
Plan to go on experimental drug for multiple myeloma that is known to cause peripheral neuropathy in the next 14 weeks.
Concomitant treatment with chemotherapy, unless approval is given by the Principal Investigator.

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Acupuncture	Acupuncture	All participants will receive acupuncture treatments over a total of 10 weeks.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
To Determine the Response Rate (Via FACT/GOG-Ntx Scores) Effectiveness and Safety of Acupuncture in Alleviating Neuropathic Symptoms When Treating Patients With Moderate to Severe Bortezomib-induced Peripheral Neuropathy (BIPN)	Baseline and 10 weeks	The Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS) uses self-report visual analogue scales (VAS) to quantify on a scale of 0-10 (with total NPS score of 1-100), global pain intensity and unpleasantness and 8 other descriptive qualities of neuropathic pain. Response defined as average change of Clinical Total Neuropathy Score (TNSc) greater than or equal to 10% over 10 weeks compared to baseline. Effect defined as as average change of Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Neurotoxicity/ Gynecologic Oncology Group (FACT/GOG-Ntx)over 10 weeks as compared to baseline. Safety will be assessed by recording side effects from acupuncture treatment. Please note TNSc results deemed invalid as original validation of TNSc was performed by 2 neuromuscular trained physicians \& the TNSc in our trial was performed by a research nurse. The reliability \& validity of research nurse's TNSc not established pre-trial. For the scale range, the higher the score the worse the symptoms and function. No subscales were used.

Secondary Outcome Measures