Shining a Light on the Effects of the Combination of (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate and Tapentadol on the Growth of Human Triple-negative Breast Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND/AIM

Breast cancer is characterized by a high rate of mortality and is considered one of the deadliest types of cancer. It is of note that (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the principal catechin of green tea, is able to hinder the growth of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells by influencing different signaling pathways, including apoptosis. Furthermore, EGCG is also used in the treatment of bone cancer pain. Tapentadol, an opioid drug acting at the level of noradrenaline (norepinephrine) reuptake inhibition and μ-opioid receptor, is able to modulate bone cancer pain and influence cancer cell viability by regulating apoptosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vitro assays were performed on triple-negative MDA-MB-231 cells treated with tapentadol (1, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 μg/ml) and EGCG (1, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160 μmol/l), alone and in combination. The effects of EGCG and TAP on viability were determined by wound-healing and MTT assays, while cell migration was assessed by transwell migration.

RESULTS

Cell proliferation, viability and apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells were impaired by the combination of EGCG and tapentadol. Specifically, our data show that EGCG and TAP reduced the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells by impairing cell-cycle progression (p<0.05). These findings suggest that the combination of these substances may represent a new strategy for the treatment of patients suffering from triple-negative breast cancer.

Naloxone Counteracts the Promoting Tumor Growth Effects Induced by Morphine in an Animal Model of Triple-negative Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

Our group has previously demonstrated, in in vitro and in vivo studies on triple-negative breast cancer, that morphine promoted breast cancer progression whereas naloxone was able to reduce it. In this subsequent investigation, we aimed to assess the combinatorial effects of these two drugs in an animal model of triple negative breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In order to evaluate the in vivo effects of the combination of morphine and naloxone in human breast cancer, a mouse model of human triple-negative breast cancer was generated by injecting the MDA-MB-231 cells subcutaneously in nude mice. Naloxone and morphine were daily intraperitoneally co-injected in mice for 4 weeks at two different doses. Micro-vessel formation was detected by fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (100 μl) injected into the lateral tail vein of mice and confirmed by immunohistochemistry for PECAM-1 on mice tumor sections.

RESULTS

In vivo experiments showed that naloxone was able to counteract the promoting effects of morphine on tumor growth. No impairment of micro-vessel formation in tumors of mice treated with the two drugs was observed.

CONCLUSION

Herein, we demonstrated that naloxone was able to counteract the promoting effects of morphine on tumor growth without impairing micro-vessel formation.

Toward more focused multimodal and multidisciplinary approaches for pain management in Parkinson's disease

In Parkinson’s disease (PD), pain represents a significant issue in terms of prevalence, clinical features, and treatment. Painful manifestations not strictly related to the disease are often amplified by the motor dysfunction. On the other hand, typical pain problems may specifically concern this vulnerable population. In turn, pain may have a deep impact on patients’ health-related quality of life. However, pain treatment in PD remains an unmet need as only about half of patients with pain use analgesics and pain is often managed by simply increasing doses of PD medications. In this complex scenario, pain treatments should follow multimodal approaches through a careful combination of pharmacological agents with non-pharmacological strategies, depending on the type of pain and the clinical context. A multidisciplinary approach involving medical specialists from different disciplines could be a winning strategy to address the issue. This work is aimed to provide practical suggestions useful for different types of clinicians and care professionals for pain management in this vulnerable population.

Dissecting the prevention of estrogen-dependent breast carcinogenesis through Nrf2-dependent and independent mechanisms

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide. Various studies indicate that prolonged exposure to elevated levels of estrogens is associated with development of breast cancer. Both estrogen receptor-dependent and independent mechanisms can contribute to the carcinogenic effects of estrogens. Among them, the oxidative metabolism of estrogens plays a key role in the initiation of estradiol-induced breast cancer by generation of reactive estrogen quinones as well as the associated formation of oxygen free radicals. These genotoxic metabolites can react with DNA to form unstable DNA adducts which generate mutations leading to the initiation of breast cancer. A variety of endogenous and exogenous factors can alter estrogen homeostasis and generate genotoxic metabolites. The use of specific phytochemicals and dietary supplements can inhibit the risk of breast cancer not only by the modulation of several estrogen-activating enzymes (CYP19, CYP1B1) but also through the induction of various cytoprotective enzymes (eg, SOD3, NQO1, glutathione S-transferases, OGG-1, catechol-O-methyltransferases, CYP1B1A, etc.) that reestablish the homeostatic balance of estrogen metabolism via nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-dependent and independent mechanisms.

Multimodal approaches and tailored therapies for pain management: the trolley analgesic model

Chronic pain is described as a manifestation of real or potential tissue damage. It is identified as a perception influenced by the complex interactions of biological, psychological, and social factors. Different types of pain and their comorbidities dramatically affect patients' quality of life and their families. Due to diverse etiology and pathogenesis, pain management represents a controversial issue in clinical practice. In 1986, the WHO developed a three-step ladder model based on the use of analgesics for pain management according to pain intensity in a linear up or down movement. Despite its huge value for pain relief, this model has some limitations, and some controversies in the pharmacotherapy of pain management have arisen so far. To bypass these difficulties, the concept of WHO analgesic ladder has been contested and changed into a four bidirectional step model which postulates the use of the invasive procedures (neuromodulatory and neurosurgical procedures). Moreover, with the introduction of the neuromatrix theory for dealing the acute and the chronic pain, the WHO model was newly reinterpreted and changed into a platform analgesic model that includes multimodal pharmacological and alternative treatments applicable to all pain conditions, although excludes the precision therapies. Here, we summarize and revise these concepts in order to propose a new model termed "trolley analgesic model" that will allow adopting tailored therapies with dynamic multimodal approaches for pain management according to 1) the pain intensity, 2) the physiopathology of pain, 3) the complexity of symptoms, 4) the presence of comorbidity, and 5) the physiopathological factors and the social context.

Multiple effectiveness aspects of tapentadol for moderate-severe cancer-pain treatment: an observational prospective study

Background

Previous studies have shown the efficacy of tapentadol (TP) for chronic cancer pain. We evaluated multiple effectiveness aspects of TP prolonged release on moderate–severe cancer-related pain, neuropathic pain (NeP), patient satisfaction, and quality of life.

Methods

An observational prospective study was conducted on 80 cancer patients. Opioid-naïve patients received a starting dose of prolonged-release TP 50 mg twice daily, and opioid-experienced patients were switched to TP, not to exceed 500 mg/day. Treatment response was evaluated at 3, 6, 30–40, and 60–70 days through response rate, numeric rating-scale scoring, survival analysis (time to event for response), pain-intensity difference, TP escalation-index percentage, and effects on NeP. The drug-sparing effect on concomitant therapies was evaluated.

Results

Seventy of 80 patients (88%) were responders to treatment (95% CI 78%–94%). Compared to T₀, pain-intensity reductions were statistically significant for all intervals (P<0.01), with better results at T₃/T₄. NeP was significantly reduced at T₄ (P<0.01). The probability of response was low at the initial stages and increased during the study. Pain-intensity differences decreased during the study, though without significance. Two patients (2.5%) left the study for TP-induced side effects. A significant improvement in quality of life was observed after 30–40 days (P<0.01). The majority of patients were “satisfied”, “very satisfied”, or “extremely satisfied” (T₃–T₄).

Conclusion

TP was effective in terms of drug-sparing effect, response rate, TP escalation-index percentage, and NeP management. By comparing data from the survival analysis with the response rate and time to response (numeric rating scale from T₀ to T₄), we found that although TP induced a quick response, a longer period of therapy and higher doses were needed to improve the positive result.

Opioids prescriptions in pain therapy and risk of addiction: a one-year survey in Italy. Analysis of national opioids database

BACKGROUND

An "epidemic use" of legal opioids in the USA and other countries has been reported in the last 15 years. We have analysed the database of the Italian Ministry of Health regarding the prescription of opioids for pain management to verify the trend of opioids uses in Italy.

METHODS

The amount of opioids prescribed for every single Italian patient in 2013 was anonymously recorded and transformed in daily MED (morphine equivalent dose). We considered every monthly percentage increase of MED during the entire period of chronic therapy for each patient.

RESULTS

Classes of dosage increase for all patients in chronic therapy, distinguished between cancer and non-cancer ones, were created. We deduce that decreases or increases of small proportions prevailed in the observation period.

CONCLUSIONS

The opioids "plague" that is striking the USA is not registered in Italy during the observation period. The reasons might be due to the innovative and effective law 38/2010 and a health care system able to guarantee appropriate prescriptions for major analgesics.

An overview of pre-clinical studies on the effects of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a catechin found in green tea, in treatment of pancreatic cancer

Human pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Despite surgical resection remains the only curative therapeutic treatment for this disease, only the minority of patients can be resected due to late diagnosis. Recently, new chemotherapy schemes with the combination of different drugs have been shown to improve disease-free survival, although best results were obtained mostly as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the minority of patients with resectable tumor. Consequently, there is stimulated interest in new chemotherapeutic approaches and alternative medicines. Several studies showed that the use of natural compounds, such as phytochemicals, represents a promising strategy for pancreatic cancer treatment. One popular phytochemical with great anticancer properties, is the (-)-epigallocate-chin3-O-gallate (EGCG), the most abundant catechin found in green tea. Accumulating evidences demonstrated that EGCG induces apoptosis and inhibits tumor progression by modulating different signaling pathways in pancreatic cancer. For these encouraging results, this catechin is currently used in clinical trials for treatment of various type of cancer and other diseases, although its poor bioavailability and poor stability represent severe limitations. Therefore, many researchers tried to develop a new strategy based of the use of nanotechnology which increases EGCG stability and bioavailability and simultaneously targets cancer cells in order to improve its anti-tumor effects. The aim of this article is to dissect the use of EGCG for management of pancreatic cancer, by reviewing the pre-clinical studies reported in literature.

Premorbid academic and social functioning in patients with schizophrenia and its associations with negative symptoms and cognition

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to explore premorbid academic and social functioning in patients with schizophrenia, and its associations with the severity of negative symptoms and neurocognitive impairment.

METHOD

Premorbid adjustment (PA) in patients with schizophrenia was compared to early adjustment in unaffected first-degree relatives and healthy controls. Its associations with psychopathology, cognition, and real-life functioning were investigated. The associations of PA with primary negative symptoms and their two factors were explored.

RESULTS

We found an impairment of academic and social PA in patients (P ≤ 0.000001) and an impairment of academic aspects of early adjustment in relatives (P ≤ 0.01). Patients with poor PA showed greater severity of negative symptoms (limited to avolition after excluding the effect of depression/parkinsonism), working memory, social cognition, and real-life functioning (P ≤ 0.01 to ≤0.000001). Worse academic and social PA were associated with greater severity of psychopathology, cognitive impairment, and real-life functioning impairment (P ≤ 0.000001). Regression analyses showed that worse PA in the academic domain was mainly associated to the impairment of working memory, whereas worse PA in the social domain to avolition (P ≤ 0.000001).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that poor early adjustment may represent a marker of vulnerability to schizophrenia and highlight the need for preventive/early interventions based on psychosocial and/or cognitive programs.

The underestimated role of psychological and rehabilitation approaches for management of cancer pain. A brief commentary

Individually tailored pharmacological regimen is the standard approach for treating patients affected by cancer pain, allowing the control of symptoms in approximately 90% of cases. If this strategy is ineffective it is possible to use more complex invasive, or minimally invasive, techniques. Nevertheless, both patients and health care professionals often underestimate the impact of cancer pain on psychological distress, and do not consider the potential benefits of psychological treatments to help manage cancer pain. These non-pharmacological strategies should be part of the multidisciplinary pain therapy, supporting and strengthening drug therapy. The purpose of this brief commentary is to discuss the role of psychological and rehabilitation approaches for improving the quality of life and the psychosocial outcomes in patients with cancer pain.

Aripiprazole use during pregnancy, peripartum and lactation. A systematic literature search and review to inform clinical practice

BACKGROUND

Aripiprazole is used relatively frequently in women with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia in childbearing years, owing to its efficacy and relatively favorable side effect profile. As is the case for other psychotropic medications, for ethical reasons, no prospective randomized placebo controlled trial to assess aripiprazole safety during pregnancy has ever been conducted. However, animal data are available and the amount of exposure and outcome data for human fetuses and infants has recently increased, providing published prospective safety data in relatively large numbers of pregnant women treated with aripiprazole. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic literature search and review to critically evaluate the available data on the use of aripiprazole during pregnancy, peripartum and lactation.

METHODS

PubMed, PsychInfo, and Cochrane Library were searched using the following search builder: (pregnancy OR pregnant OR gestation OR malformations OR perinatal OR reproduction OR organogenesis OR delivery OR breast-feeding OR lactation or peripartum or obstetric) AND aripiprazole. Reports that met the following pre-defined criteria were included in the present review: (1) published in English language in a peer-reviewed journal; (2) clearly defined use of aripiprazole during pregnancy and/or lactation and/or postpartum; (3) case report, case series, prospective, retrospective or cross-sectional studies. United States and European Medicine Agency prescribing information for aripiprazole were consulted as well and all the references of selected papers were cross checked for information pertaining to the use of aripiprazole during pregnancy, peripartum and lactation.

RESULTS

A total of 549 items published in a period ranging from 1995 to 2017, were retrieved from the search databases and reference cross check. One-hundred-fifty-three duplicate items were removed, 176 titles were deemed as not pertinent, 220 abstracts and 122 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and 93 titles were included for qualitative synthesis. United States and European Medicine Agency prescribing information for aripiprazole were consulted and the selected manuscript references were cross checked. No randomized placebo controlled trial was found but relatively large prospective studies, large database studies, and several case reports and case studies were identified and summarized.

CONCLUSIONS

As is the case for other antipsychotics, definitive evidence on aripiprazole reproductive safety is lacking, but newer safety data are relatively reassuring. In many cases, the potential benefits of aripiprazole for patients with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia outweigh the potential risks.

Dissecting the Potential Roles of Nigella sativa and Its Constituent Thymoquinone on the Prevention and on the Progression of Alzheimer's Disease

Several nutraceuticals have been investigated for preventing or retarding the progression of different neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Because Nigella sativa (NS) and its isolated compound thymoquinone (TQ) have significant anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory proprieties, they could represent effective neuroprotective agents. The purpose of this manuscript is to analyze and to recapitulate the results of in vitro and in vivo studies on the potential role of NS/TQ in AD's prevention and treatment. The level of evidence for each included animal study has been assessed by using a modified CAMARADES (Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Studies) 10-item checklist. We used MEDLINE and EMBASE databases to screen relevant articles published up to July 2017. A manual search was also performed. The database search yielded 38 studies, of which 18 were included in this manuscript. Results from these approaches suggest that NS or TQ could represent an effective strategy against AD due to the balancing of oxidative processes and the binding to specific intracellular targets. The overall effects mainly regard the prevention of hippocampal pyramidal cell loss and the increased cognitive functions.

The effects of naloxone on human breast cancer progression: in vitro and in vivo studies on MDA.MB231 cells

Background

Naloxone is viewed as a specific competitive opioid antagonist acting at the level of opioid receptors (μ, δ, and κ) with blended agonist-adversary or agonist action. The role of naloxone in tumor cell growth has been poorly studied in human cancer cell lines.

Materials and methods

In the present study, we report findings from in vitro and in vivo experiments performed to evaluate the effects of naloxone on human breast cancer cell growth and progression. In vitro assays were conducted on estrogen receptor-negative human breast carcinoma cells, MDA.MB231, treated with naloxone at different concentrations (10-100 μM). In vivo experiments were performed on a mouse model of human triple-negative breast cancer generated by using MDA.MB231 injected subcutaneously in mice. Naloxone was daily intraperitoneally injected in mice at 0.357 mg/kg for 2 weeks and at 0.714 mg/kg for the next 2 weeks. Microvessels formation was detected by fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (100 μL) injected into the tail vein of mice and confirmed by immunohistochemistry with CD31 on mice tumor sections.

Results

In vitro tests showed that the cell proliferation of MDA.MB231 was inhibited by naloxone in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the cell death was increased. In vivo studies demonstrated that tumors of mice treated with naloxone were significantly smaller than those observed in the control groups, as long as naloxone was administered. Finally, naloxone was not able to impair the microvessel formation in tumors of treated mice.

Conclusion

Our data showed, for the first time, that naloxone reduced breast cancer progression without affecting angiogenesis.

Spontaneous peritonitis in critically ill cirrhotic patients: a diagnostic algorithm for clinicians and future perspectives

Spontaneous peritonitis (SP) is the most common infection among decompensated end-stage liver disease patients. SP is the infection of ascitic fluid (neutrophil ascitic count ≥250/mL) without an alternative focus of abdominal infection. According to the causative agent, clinicians can make the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis or spontaneous fungal peritonitis. The mortality rate is very high, ranging from one-fifth of the patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis to four-fifths of the patients with spontaneous fungal peritonitis. An immediate and accurate diagnosis can improve the outcome in end-stage liver disease patients. The aim of this work is to provide physicians with a practical diagnostic guidance for SP diagnosis according to current evidence, in order to improve the management of cirrhotic patients with infected ascitic fluid.

Postoperative delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction: updates in pathophysiology, potential translational approaches to clinical practice and further research perspectives

Postoperative delirium, the onset of confusion/delirium during the early postoperative phase, is the most common postoperative complication in older adults and represents a medical emergency that requires immediate assessment and treatment. On the other hand, the term postoperative cognitive decline or dysfunction refers to a wide spectrum of clinical conditions featuring a decline in a variety of neuropsychological domains including memory, executive functioning, and speed of processing emerging week to months after anesthesia and surgery. Postoperative delirium and postoperative cognitive decline represent two distinct clinical entities along the continuum of cognitive impairment after anesthesia and surgery. All patients experiencing delirium does however not develop postoperative dysfunction and likewise all patients showing various degree of postoperative decline have not explicitly exhibited postoperative delirium. Although neuroinflammation seems to be main cause, the exact pathophysiology of both phenomena is very difficult to ascertain because it involves the crossroads of many mechanisms. This paper aimed to provide an update in the pathophysiology of these conditions with special attention to the roles of the neuroinflammation, the microglia activation, the surgical stress response, the impairment of neurotransmitter systems, and the direct neurotoxic effect of general anesthetic drugs. Potential translational approaches to clinical practice and further research perspectives are also given.

The roles of epigallocatechin-3-gallate in the treatment of neuropathic pain: an update on preclinical in vivo studies and future perspectives

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a complex and chronic disease caused by lesions or defects of the somatosensory nervous system. The treatments normally used for managing NP usually lack efficacy. Several animal models of NP have been engineered in order to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying NP and to find alternative molecules to use as new therapeutic agents. Preclinical in vivo studies identified the epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a main active component of green tea (Camellia sinensis), as a possible therapeutic molecule for NP treatment due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Interestingly, it has been shown that EGCG reduced bone cancer pain. The purpose of this article is to discuss the potential use of EGCG for control and treatment of NP, by reviewing the preclinical studies reported in the literature and by shedding light on the potential schemes based on EGCG’s application in clinical practices.

The challenge of perioperative pain management in opioid-tolerant patients

The increasing number of opioid users among chronic pain patients, and opioid abusers among the general population, makes perioperative pain management challenging for health care professionals. Anesthesiologists, surgeons, and nurses should be familiar with some pharmacological phenomena which are typical of opioid users and abusers, such as tolerance, physical dependence, hyperalgesia, and addiction. Inadequate pain management is very common in these patients, due to common prejudices and fears. The target of preoperative evaluation is to identify comorbidities and risk factors and recognize signs and symptoms of opioid abuse and opioid withdrawal. Clinicians are encouraged to plan perioperative pain medications and to refer these patients to psychiatrists and addiction specialists for their evaluation. The aim of this review was to give practical suggestions for perioperative management of surgical opioid-tolerant patients, together with schemes of opioid conversion for chronic pain patients assuming oral or transdermal opioids, and patients under maintenance programs with methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone.

Role of Nigella sativa and Its Constituent Thymoquinone on Chemotherapy-Induced Nephrotoxicity: Evidences from Experimental Animal Studies

Background: Most chemotherapeutic drugs are known to cause nephrotoxicity. Therefore, new strategies have been considered to prevent chemotherapy-induced nephrotoxicity. It is of note that Nigella sativa (NS), or its isolated compound Thymoquinone (TQ), has a potential role in combating chemotherapy-induced nephrotoxicity. AIM: To analyze and report the outcome of experimental animal studies on the protective effects of NS/TQ on chemotherapy-associated kidney complications. Design: Standard systematic review and narrative synthesis. Data Sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE databases were searched for relevant articles published up to March 2017. Additionally, a manual search was performed. Criteria for a study’s inclusion were: conducted in animals, systematic reviews and meta-analysis, containing data on nephroprotective effects of NS/TQ compared to a placebo or other substance. All strains and genders were included. Results: The database search yielded 71 studies, of which 12 (cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity 8; methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity 1; doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity 2; ifosfamide-induced nephrotoxicity 1) were included in this review. Conclusions: Experimental animal studies showed the protective effect of NS, or TQ, on chemotherapy-induced nephrotoxicity. These effects are caused by decreasing lipid peroxidation and increasing activity of antioxidant enzymes in renal tissue of chemotherapy-treated animals.

Anesthetic dreaming, anesthesia awareness and patient satisfaction after deep sedation with propofol target controlled infusion: A prospective cohort study of patients undergoing day case breast surgery

Background

Anesthetic dreaming and anesthesia awareness are well distinct phenomena. Although the incidence of intraoperative awareness is more common among patients who reported a dream after surgery, the exact correlation between the two phenomena remains an unsolved rebus. The main purpose of this study was to investigate anesthetic dreaming, anesthesia awareness and psychological consequences eventually occurred under deep sedation. Intraoperative dreaming experiences were correlated with dream features in natural sleep.

Methods

Fifty-one patients, undergoing surgical excision of fibroadenomas under a Bispectral index-guided deep sedation anesthesia with propofol target controlled infusion, were enrolled into this prospective study. Psychological assessment was performed through the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. A questionnaire was adopted to register dreaming and anesthesia awareness. Data were collected after emergence (t0), 24 hours (t1), 1 month (t2), 6 months (t3).

Results

Six patients (12%) reported anesthetic dreaming at t0 confirming the response at each subsequent evaluation. One patient (2%) confirmed dreaming during anesthesia in all, but denied it at t0. There was a high correlation between the intraoperative dream contents and the features of dreams in natural sleep. No cases of anesthesia awareness were detected. A similar level of satisfaction was observed in dreaming and no-dreaming patients.

Conclusions

Anesthetic dreaming does not seem to influence satisfaction of patients undergoing deep sedation with propofol target controlled infusion. A psychological assessment would seem to improve the evaluation of possible psychological consequences in dreamer patient.

Breakthrough Cancer Pain: Preliminary Data of The Italian Oncologic Pain Multisetting Multicentric Survey (IOPS-MS)

Introduction

An ongoing national multicenter survey [Italian Oncologic Pain multiSetting Multicentric Survey (IOPS-MS)] is evaluating the characteristics of breakthrough cancer pain (BTP) in different clinical settings. Preliminary data from the first 1500 cancer patients with BTP enrolled in this study are presented here.

Methods

Thirty-two clinical centers are involved in the survey. A diagnosis of BTP was performed by a standard algorithm. Epidemiological data, Karnofsky index, stage of disease, presence and sites of metastases, ongoing oncologic treatment, and characteristics of background pain and BTP and their treatments were recorded. Background pain and BTP intensity were measured. Patients were also questioned about BTP predictability, BTP onset (≤10 or >10 min), BTP duration, background and BTP medications and their doses, time to meaningful pain relief after BTP medication, and satisfaction with BTP medication. The occurrence of adverse reactions was also assessed, as well as mucosal toxicity.

Results

Background pain was well controlled with opioid treatment (numerical rating scale 3.0 ± 1.1). Patients reported 2.5 ± 1.6 BTP episodes/day with a mean intensity of 7.5 ± 1.4 and duration of 43 ± 40 min; 977 patients (65.1%) reported non-predictable BTP, and 1076 patients (71.7%) reported a rapid onset of BTP (≤10 min). Higher patient satisfaction was reported by patients treated with fast onset opioids.

Conclusions

These preliminary data underline that the standard algorithm used is a valid tool for a proper diagnosis of BTP in cancer patients. Moreover, rapid relief of pain is crucial for patients’ satisfaction. The final IOPS-MS data are necessary to understand relationships between BTP characteristics and other clinical variables in oncologic patients.

Funding

Molteni Farmaceutici, Italy.

The use of low doses of a sublingual fentanyl formulation for breakthrough pain in patients receiving low doses of opioids

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the efficacy and safety of low doses of sublingual fentanyl (SLF) for the treatment of breakthrough pain (BTP) in cancer patients in patients who were receiving low opioid doses for background analgesia.

METHODS

A sample of cancer patients presenting BTP episodes and receiving stable low doses of opioids for background pain (less than 60 mg of oral morphine equivalents) was selected to assess the efficacy and safety of low doses of SLF (67 μg). For each patient, data from four consecutive episodes were collected. For each episode, changes in pain intensity and adverse effects when pain got severe (T0), and 5, 10, and 15 min after SLF administration (T5-T30) were recorded. The occurrence of serious effects occurring within 2 h of SLF administration were also considered.

RESULTS

Fifty-one patients were recruited for the study. The mean age was 66.8 (SD 12.9). A mean of 3.3 episodes/patient were recorded. Four patients did not have episodes of BTP. 147 episodes were evaluated. Six episodes (4.1 %) required a rescue medication at T30. Pain intensity significantly decreased at T5, T10, T15 and T30 (p < 0.0005 in all cases). A high percentage of patients had a pain reduction of more than 33 and 50 % at T5, T10, T15 and T30. Adverse effects were mild and generally already present, due to basal opioid treatment or disease. No serious adverse effects were observed for the subsequent 2 h.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that SLF given in low doses in patients receiving lower doses of opioids for background analgesia is safe and effective in clinical practice.

Consciousness fluctuation during general anesthesia: a theoretical approach to anesthesia awareness and memory modulation

With anesthesia awareness as a model of study we debate the both fascinating and dangerous phenomenon called consciousness fluctuation that takes place during surgical anesthesia. In accordance with current scientific knowledge this paradox is the consequence of our limits in both precise knowledge of anesthesia mechanisms and our inability to accurately assess the level of anesthesia with brain monitoring. We also focus on the relationships between memory and anesthesia, as well as the possibility of interfering with memory during general anesthesia.