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Wong AK, Klepstad P, Rubio JP, Somogyi AA, Vogrin S, Le B, Philip J. Opioid Switch Dosing in Chronic Cancer Pain: A Prospective Longitudinal Study. J Palliat Med 2024; 27:388-393. [PMID: 37955655 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2023.0541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Opioid switching is common, however, conversion tables have limitations. Guidelines suggest postswitch dose reduction, yet, observations show opioid doses may increase postswitch. Objectives: To document the opioid conversion factor postswitch in cancer, and whether pain and adverse effect outcomes differ between switched opioid groups. Design/Setting: This multicenter prospective longitudinal study included people with advanced cancer in Australia. Clinical data (demographics, opioids) and validated instruments (pain, adverse effects) were collected twice, seven days apart. Results: Opioid switch resulted in dose increase (median oral morphine equivalent daily dose 90 mg [interquartile range {IQR} 45-184] to 150 mg [IQR 79-270]), reduced average pain (5.1 [standard deviation {SD} 1.7] to 3.8 [SD 1.6]), and reduced adverse effects. Hydromorphone dose increased 2.5 times (IQR 1.0-3.6) above the original conversion factor used. Conclusions: Opioid switching resulted in overall dose increase, particularly when switching to hydromorphone. Higher preswitch dosing may require higher dose conversion ratios. Dose reduction postswitch risks undertreatment and may not be always appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron K Wong
- Department of Palliative Care, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Palliative Care, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Pal Klepstad
- Department Intensive Care Medicine, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Justin P Rubio
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew A Somogyi
- Department of Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology, Discipline of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Sara Vogrin
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brian Le
- Department of Palliative Care, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Palliative Care, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer Philip
- Department of Palliative Care, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Palliative Care, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Palliative Care, Palliative Care Service, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
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Wong AK, Klepstad P, Somogyi AA, Vogrin S, Le B, Philip J, Rubio JP. Effect of gene variants on opioid dose, pain and adverse effect outcomes in advanced cancer: an explorative study. Pharmacogenomics 2023; 24:901-913. [PMID: 38126330 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2023-0207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Associations between gene variants and opioid net effect are unclear. We conducted an exploratory pharmacogenetic analysis of 35 gene variants and opioid response in advanced cancer. Patients & methods: This multi-center prospective cohort study included clinical data, questionnaires (pain and adverse effects) and DNA (blood). Negative binomial regression and logistic regression were used. Results: Within 54 participants, eight statistically significant associations (p = 0.002-0.038) were observed between gene variants and opioid dose, pain scores or adverse effects, the majority being within the neuroimmune TLR4 pathway (IL1B [rs1143634], IL2 [rs2069762], IL6 [rs1800795], BDNF [rs6265]) and ARRB2 pathway (ARRB2 [rs3786047], DRD2 [rs6275]). Conclusion: Neuroimmune pathway genes may contribute to differences in opioid response in cancer and may be included in future similar studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron K Wong
- Peter MacCallum Cancer center, 305 Grattan St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan St, Parkville, Victoria, 3050, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne Eastern Hill Campus, Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065, Australia
| | - Pal Klepstad
- Department Intensive Care Medicine, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Andrew A Somogyi
- Professor of Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology, Discipline of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
| | - Sara Vogrin
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brian Le
- Peter MacCallum Cancer center, 305 Grattan St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan St, Parkville, Victoria, 3050, Australia
| | - Jennifer Philip
- Peter MacCallum Cancer center, 305 Grattan St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan St, Parkville, Victoria, 3050, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne Eastern Hill Campus, Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065, Australia
- St Vincent's Hospital, Palliative Care Service Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065, Australia
| | - Justin P Rubio
- Principal Research Fellow Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Victoria, 3052, Australia
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Cuomo A. Fentanyl in cancer pain management: avoiding hasty judgments and discerning its potential benefits. Drugs Context 2023; 12:2023-10-2. [PMID: 38148830 PMCID: PMC10751104 DOI: 10.7573/dic.2023-10-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer pain is an important challenge in treatment and requires a rapid onset of action for its control. In particular, breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) should be adequately controlled with a stable dose of a short-acting oral opioid. Fentanyl is a synthetic, highly selective opioid with many advantageous chemical properties, including high lipophilicity and distinct pharmacokinetic properties. It is recommended for pain management in a variety of settings, including acute pain, chronic pain and BTcP. To date, its variously designed formulations allow non-invasive administration; amongst others, sublingual fentanyl has proven useful in the management of BTcP and in improving the quality of life of patients with cancer. This review provides an update on the management of BTcP with fentanyl, with consideration of safety, as it remains an important tool in the treatment of cancer pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Cuomo
- Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples,
Italy
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