Dexmedetomidine and HIPEC

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Trial end date: 2022-12-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Inflammation is associated with an increased risk of cancer recurrence. Various methods have been used to decrease the inflammatory response induced by the cancer and surgery. In this study the investigators would like determine if a commonly used sedative drug (dexmedtomidine) has an impact on this inflammatory state when used as part of the anesthetic. The investigators will conduct a pilot study with 20 patients undergoing a Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedure as part of their cancer treatment. 10 patients will receive the standard of care for anesthesia during the cancer surgery and a placebo infusion of normal saline at a rate consistent to that of the study drug. 10 additional patients will receive the same standard of care anesthetic plan with the addition of an infusion of dexmeditomidine during the procedure. The investigators will measure the degree of inflammation before, during and after the surgical procedure by looking at the levels of inflammatory markers in blood samples. The goal is to determine if the addition of dexmodtomidine affects the inflammatory state of patients undergoing a HIPEC procedure. This information will be used to guide future studies aiming at decreasing cancer recurrence and improve patient outcomes.

• Phase: Phase 2/Phase 3
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: University of British Columbia
• Treatments: Dexmedetomidine

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients undergoing a Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedure as part of their cancer treatment at Vancover General Hospital

• 18 years of age or older

• Able to provide informed consent

• Expected stay 5 days or greater in hospital

• Presenting for HIPEC with Colon or Appendix Cancer

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindication to dexmedtomidine use including allergy or sensitivity to the drug

• Pregnancy

• Dementia

• ASA greater than or equal to 4

• Significant liver disease

• Current use of steroid or immunosuppressive medication

• Mesothelioma tumour origin

• Current use of clonidine

• Current opioid use exceeding 30mg of oral morphine equivalents

• Patient not eligible or patient refusal to have a thoracic epidural