Can a vitamin B supplement prevent nerve damage from cancer chemotherapy?

Plain-English translation of NCT07423390 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated April 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 3 — Testing in thousands of people, comparing the treatment against what doctors currently use. This is the last big step before approval.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether , a form of vitamin B12, can prevent a common side effect of certain cancer chemotherapy drugs called taxanes. Some people receiving these chemotherapy drugs develop tingling, numbness, and pain in their hands and feet—a condition called chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. This study will compare people who take the medication daily during chemotherapy with people who don't receive it, to see if it reduces the risk of developing this nerve damage.

Nerve damage from chemotherapy is a significant problem that can last long after treatment ends and affect quality of life. Doctors are looking for safe, affordable ways to prevent or reduce this side effect, and this medication may be a promising option worth testing.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with a solid tumor (such as breast cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, or another solid cancer)
you are 18 years or older
you are scheduled to receive or have recently been diagnosed with needing taxane-based chemotherapy drugs (paclitaxel, nab-paclitaxel, or docetaxel)
you have a life expectancy of at least 3 months
your heart, liver, kidney, and bone marrow function are adequate to tolerate standard chemotherapy
you are able and willing to take an oral medication three times daily and follow study procedures

You likely don't qualify if…

you already have nerve damage or numbness in your hands or feet from any cause
you have a severe skin condition (such as active skin infection) that would make it difficult to assess nerve damage symptoms
you are currently taking other medications that are meant to treat or prevent nerve damage from chemotherapy
you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a known allergy to vitamin B12 or mecobalamin
you have trouble swallowing or conditions that would prevent your body from absorbing oral medication

What participation looks like

If you join this study, you will be randomly assigned to either take the medication (0.5 mg three times daily) starting on your first day of chemotherapy and continuing through the end of your treatment, or to not take routine preventive medication. Either way, you'll have the same follow-up visits during each chemotherapy cycle, where doctors will check for any signs of nerve damage and assess your symptoms. The study will track you from when you start chemotherapy until you finish treatment, with regular assessments to see how well the approach is working.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 10, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(4 sites)

China

Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai

Qinghai Red Cross Hospital, Xining, Qinghai

Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Cancer Hospital), Jinan, Shandong

Beijing Chaoyang Sanhuan Cancer Hospital, Beijing