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Imkamp MSV, Theunissen M, Viechtbauer W, van Kuijk SMJ, van den Beuken-van Everdingen MHJ. Shifting Views on Cancer Pain Management: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. J Pain Symptom Manage 2024:S0885-3924(24)00790-5. [PMID: 38838946 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Strong opioids are the cornerstone in the treatment of cancer-related pain. OBJECTIVES This study aims to compare analgesic effectiveness of different strong opioids for the treatment of cancer-related pain. METHODS PubMed and Embase were searched for RCTs that compared strong opioids for treatment of cancer-related pain against one another. A network meta-analysis was conducted and the related Surface Under the Cumulative RAnking (SUCRA)-based treatment ranks were calculated. Primary outcome was pain intensity (numerical rating scale (NRS)) and/or the percentage of patients with ≥50% pain reduction, after 1 and 2-4 weeks. RESULTS Sixteen RCTs (1813 patients) were included. Methadone showed, with a high certainty of evidence, increased ORs for treatment success at 1 week, compared with morphine, buprenorphine, fentanyl, and oxycodone, range 3.230-36.833. Methadone had the highest likelihood to be the treatment of preference (ToP) (SUCRA 0.9720). For fentanyl, ORs were lower, however significant and with high certainty. After 2-4 weeks, methadone again showed the highest likelihood for ToP, however, with moderate certainty and nonsignificant ORs. The combination of morphine/methadone, compared with morphine, buprenorphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, methadone, and oxycodone achieved a treatment effect of mean NRS difference after 2-4 weeks between -1.100 and -1.528 and had the highest likelihood for ToP. CONCLUSION The results suggest that methadone possibly deserves further promotion as first-line treatment for the treatment of cancer-related pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike S V Imkamp
- Center of Expertise for Palliative Care; (M.S.V.I., M.T., M.H.J.V.D.B.); Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+); Maastricht; Netherlands; Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology; (M.S.V.I., S.M.J.V.K.); Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+); Maastricht; Netherlands
| | - Maurice Theunissen
- Center of Expertise for Palliative Care; (M.S.V.I., M.T., M.H.J.V.D.B.); Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+); Maastricht; Netherlands
| | - Wolfgang Viechtbauer
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology; (W.V.); (Faculty of Health; Medicine, and Life Sciences) Maastricht University; Maastricht; Netherlands
| | - Sander M J van Kuijk
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology; (M.S.V.I., S.M.J.V.K.); Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+); Maastricht; Netherlands
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Carli M, Fini E, De Luca G, Scarselli M, Lamanna F, Vico T, Bocci G. Methadone dose escalation in patients with opioid use disorder and cancer as a strategy for controlling cancer-related pain: A case series. Palliat Support Care 2023:1-4. [PMID: 37786362 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951523001293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Opioid use disorder (OUD) and cancer gained attention as co-occurring diseases in the last 2 decades due to the possible relationship between opioid prescriptions for cancer pain and the risk of developing substance use disorder in cancer patients. However, little is known about patients previously diagnosed with OUD who develop cancer and how to manage both OUD symptoms and control pain. METHODS The present case series deals with this subpopulation and proposes a dose escalation of methadone to control both the cancer-related pain and drug addiction symptoms. RESULTS This approach is peculiar because methadone is not used as a first-line treatment in cancer pain management and is not often used as a second-line treatment as well. Our 4 patients experienced good clinical control of symptoms and no major adverse reactions. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS The subgroup of patients with OUD who develop cancer could be the perfect population to reconsider the use of methadone as a first-line treatment for cancer pain. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of increasing doses of methadone in these patients to validate our clinical approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Carli
- Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale e delle Nuove Tecnologie in Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Fini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia De Luca
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Scarselli
- Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale e delle Nuove Tecnologie in Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Tiziana Vico
- Pisa Ser.D., Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest, Pisa, Italy
| | - Guido Bocci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Leiva-Vásquez O, Letelier LM, Rojas L, Viviani P, Castellano J, González A, Pérez-Cruz PE. Is Acetaminophen Beneficial in Patients With Cancer Pain Who are on Strong Opioids? A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 66:183-192.e1. [PMID: 37207788 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Pain is common among cancer patients. The evidence recommends using strong opioids in moderate to severe cancer pain. No conclusive evidence supports the effectiveness of adding acetaminophen to patients with cancer pain who are already using this regime. OBJECTIVES To assess the analgesic efficacy of acetaminophen in hospitalized cancer patients with moderate to severe pain receiving strong opioids. METHODS In this randomized blinded clinical trial, hospitalized cancer patients with moderate or severe acute pain managed with strong opioids were randomized to acetaminophen or placebo. The primary outcome was pain intensity difference between baseline and 48 hours using the Visual Numeric Rating Scales (VNRS). Secondary outcomes included change in morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD), and patients' perception of improved pain control. RESULTS Among 112 randomized patients, 56 patients received placebo, 56 acetaminophen. Mean (standard deviation [SD]) decrease in pain intensity (VNRS) at 48 hours were 2.7 (2.5) and 2.3 (2.3), respectively (95% Confidence Interval (CI) [-0.49; 1.32]; P = 0.37). Mean (SD) change in MEDD was 13.9 (33.0) mg/day and 22.4 (57.7), respectively (95% CI [-9.24; 26.1]; P = 0.35). The proportion of patients perceiving pain control improvement after 48 hours was 82% in the placebo and 80% in the acetaminophen arms (P = 0.81). CONCLUSION Among patients with cancer pain on strong opioid regime, acetaminophen may not improve pain control, or decrease total opioid use. These results add to the current evidence available suggesting not to use acetaminophen as an adjuvant for advanced cancer patients with moderate to severe cancer pain who are on strong opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofelia Leiva-Vásquez
- Sección Medicina Paliativa, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (O.L.V., P.E.P.), Santiago, Chile
| | - Luz M Letelier
- Departamento Medicina Interna, Facultad de Medicina (L.M.L., L.R.), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis Rojas
- Departamento Medicina Interna, Facultad de Medicina (L.M.L., L.R.), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Programa de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (L.R., J.C., A.G.), Santiago, Chile
| | - Paola Viviani
- Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina (P.V.), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Joel Castellano
- Programa de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (L.R., J.C., A.G.), Santiago, Chile
| | - Antonio González
- Programa de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (L.R., J.C., A.G.), Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Hematología Oncología, Facultad de Medicina (A.G.), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pedro E Pérez-Cruz
- Sección Medicina Paliativa, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (O.L.V., P.E.P.), Santiago, Chile.
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Bromberg H, Guastella A, Haas M, Akel R, Craig D. Two Patients Experience Same-Day Analgesic Effect of Methadone on Trigeminal Neuralgia Secondary to Malignancy: A Case Report. J Palliat Med 2023. [PMID: 36633599 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) secondary to malignancy leads to significant distress and subsequently impacts a patient's quality of life. Use of methadone as a first-line opioid analgesic in this subset of oncology patients is uncommon and is rarely initiated after traditional first-line therapies have failed. We report two patients with TN secondary to tumor burden who experienced significant analgesia within 24 hours of methadone initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Bromberg
- Department of Supportive Care, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Ann Guastella
- Department of Supportive Care, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Meghan Haas
- Department of Supportive Care, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Reem Akel
- Department of Supportive Care, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
- Department of Graduate Medical Education, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - David Craig
- Department of Supportive Care, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
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Ding H, Song Y, Xin W, Sun J, Zhong L, Zhou Q, He C, Gong L, Fang L. Methadone switching for refractory cancer pain. Palliat Care 2022; 21:191. [PMID: 36324113 PMCID: PMC9628261 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-022-01076-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methadone is commonly considered an alternative opioid treatment for refractory cancer pain. This study aims to investigate the efficacy, safety, and cost of methadone in the treatment of refractory cancer pain. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted in patients who used methadone for refractory cancer pain from April 2016 to December 2020 at a cancer specialized hospital. Pain control, evaluated via pain score and breakthrough pain frequency, and adverse events of methadone were compared with analgesic regimens prior to methadone administration. The factors potentially affecting the switching outcome were analyzed via multivariate analysis. Moreover, the cost of pain control was estimated. RESULTS Ninety patients received methadone for poor pain control (74.4%), intolerable adverse events (10.0%), or both (15.6%) after prior opioid treatments. Sixty-four patients (71.1%) were successfully switched to methadone with median pain score significantly decreased from 4.0 to 2.0 (p < 0.001) and median daily frequency of breakthrough pain from 3.0 to 0.0 (p < 0.001) at a maintained median conversion ratio of 6.3 [interquartile range (IQR): 4.0-10.0] to prior opioid treatment. Similar adverse event profiles of constipation, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness were observed between methadone and prior opioid regimens. The median daily cost of analgesic regimens was significantly reduced from $19.5 (IQR: 12.3-46.2) to $10.8 (IQR: 7.1-18.7) (p < 0.01) after switching to methadone. The 3-day switch method significantly improved the rate of successful switching compared with the stop and go method (odds ratio = 3.37, 95% CI: 1.30-8.76, p = 0.013). CONCLUSION Methadone is an effective, safe, and cost-saving treatment for patients with refractory cancer pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiying Ding
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419Department of Pharmacy, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital) , Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Song
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419Department of Pharmacy, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital) , Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenxiu Xin
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419Department of Pharmacy, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital) , Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiao Sun
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419Department of Pharmacy, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital) , Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China ,grid.417397.f0000 0004 1808 0985Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, 310022 Hangzhou, China
| | - Like Zhong
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419Department of Pharmacy, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital) , Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China ,grid.417397.f0000 0004 1808 0985Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, 310022 Hangzhou, China
| | - Qinfei Zhou
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419Department of Rare Cancer & Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chaoneng He
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419Department of Pharmacy, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital) , Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liyan Gong
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419Department of Rare Cancer & Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Luo Fang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419Department of Pharmacy, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital) , Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China ,grid.417397.f0000 0004 1808 0985Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, 310022 Hangzhou, China
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Mercadante S, Adile C, Ferrera P, Pallotti MC, Ricci M, Bonanno G, Casuccio A. OUP accepted manuscript. Oncologist 2022; 27:323-327. [PMID: 35380722 PMCID: PMC8982366 DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyab081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and adverse effects of methadone when used as first-line therapy in patients that are either receiving low doses of opioids or none. Methods Patients with advanced cancer were prospectively assessed. Opioid-naive patients (L-group) were started with methadone at 6 mg/day. Patients receiving weak or other opioids in doses of <60 mg/day of OME (H-group) were started with methadone at 9 mg/day. Methadone doses were changed according to the clinical needs to obtain the most favorable balance between analgesia and adverse effects. Edmonton Symptom Asssement Score (ESAS), Memorial Delirium Assessment Score (MDAS), doses of methadone, and the use of adjuvant drugs were recorded before starting the study treatment (T0), 1 week after (T7), 2 weeks after (T14), 1 month after (T30), and 2 months after (T60). Methadone escalation index percent (MEI%) and in mg (MEImg) were calculated at T30 and T60. Results Eighty-two patients were assessed. In both groups H and L, there were significant changes in pain and symptom intensity at the different times during the study. Adverse effects as causes of drop-out were minimal. Mean MEImg was 0.09 (SD 0.28) and 0.02 (SD 0.07) at T30 and T60, respectively. MEI% was 1.01 (SD 3.08) and 0.27 (SD 0.86) at T30 and T60, respectively. Conclusion Methadone used as a first-line opioid therapy provided good analgesia with limited adverse effects and a minimal opioid-induced tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiano Mercadante
- Main Regional Center for Pain Relief & Supportive/Palliative Care, La Maddalena Cancer center, Palermo, Italy
- Corresponding author: Sebastiano Mercadante, MD, Main Regional Center for Pain Relief & Supportive/Palliative Care, La Maddalena Cancer center, La Maddalena, Via San Lorenzo 312, 90146 Palermo, Italy. , 03sebellemail.com
| | - Claudio Adile
- Main Regional Center for Pain Relief & Supportive/Palliative Care, La Maddalena Cancer center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Patrizia Ferrera
- Main Regional Center for Pain Relief & Supportive/Palliative Care, La Maddalena Cancer center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Caterina Pallotti
- Palliative Care Unit, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Marianna Ricci
- Palliative Care Unit, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bonanno
- Main Regional Center for Pain Relief & Supportive/Palliative Care, La Maddalena Cancer center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Casuccio
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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