This study involves adults receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancer and will test whether or not the study mouthrinse may lessen oral mucositis.

The broad goal of our research is development of an effective Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) approach to prevent mucositis or lessen its severity and complications. Oral mucositis (OM) is a clinically challenging and debilitating side effect of conventional radiotherapy (RT), affecting almost all patients undergoing RT for head and neck cancer. OM includes inflammation of the oral mucosa with or without opportunistic microbial infection. It ranges from mild erythema to severe ulceration accompanied by persistent pain leading to inability to tolerate or swallow food and fluids. OM frequently causes unwanted cancer treatment dose reductions or breaks in therapy. Despite use of pain medications, severe OM is associated with substantially increased use of costly health care resources. Presently, there are no effective treatments for OM. The primary aim of the current proposal is to determine whether or not a mouthrinse containing an herbal extract with known anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial medicinal properties, will reduce the severity of oral mucositis in cancer patients undergoing conventional radiotherapy to the head and neck. Because of the prominent inflammatory and microbial aspects of OM we anticipate that the herbal mouthrinse will reduce the severity of the pain and secondary infections associated with OM, and will improve the quality of life in head and neck cancer patients undergoing RT. Therefore, the specific aims of our Phase II double-blind, randomized, controlled trial are 1) to determine if the severity of oral mucositis is reduced in RT patients receiving the herbal mouthrinse compared to patients receiving the comparison mouthrinse and 2) to determine the effects of the herbal mouthrinse on the microbial environment of the oral cavity and on quality of life. Findings from this study will provide evidence to support more in-depth biological assessment of the anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial mechanisms by which the herbal extract reduces oral mucositis, and additional study in other populations experiencing mucositis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Anatomic site: lip (inner aspect), oral cavity, pharynx or larynx; includes tonsils and salivary glands (ICD-9: 140-149 or 161).
• Malignant tumor: ICD-O morphology 2 (in situ) or 3 (malignant, invasive or infiltrating).
• Adult aged 18-89 years.
• Patient recommended or planned to undergo radiotherapy to the head and neck regions, as part of their cancer treatment regimen.
• Radiotherapy to be given in standard doses over a 4 - 7 week period.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prior radiation treatment for cancer of the oral cavity, head or neck.
• Baseline mouth and throat soreness (MTS) extreme score of 4.
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status >2.
• Unable to sign Informed Consent.
• Known history of allergy to any of the mouthrinse constituents (aloe, anise, ascorbic acid, clove, glycerin, peppermint, poloxamer 407, potassium sorbate, spearmint, thyme, water, xylitol).
• Inability to use a mouth rinse.
• Patient unable to communicate with study personnel in English (either themselves or an interpreter).

After publication of the results of the primary and secondary endpoints of the trial, we will offer our collected experience to other interested clinicians/scientists. Our first priority is that any data sets that are used be subject of a confidentiality agreement. Any clinical data that is shared will be stripped of any subject personal information (de-indentified data). Our intent, if the trial results are promising is to share the findings through the HCC Clinical Trial Network. If our intervention is useful we are open to further investigation though clinical trial and other cooperative groups. Dr. Susan Reed, as PI, will participate in all sharing activities.

12 weeks

All adverse events are reported. The population includes a total of 50 patients, which includes 8 patients who were not evaluable for major outcome results.