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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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Mercadante S. Breakthrough cancer pain in the radiotherapy setting: a systematic and critical review. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2023; 23:229-234. [PMID: 36809181 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2023.2182773] [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: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Breakthrough pain (BP) is a complex phenomenon that has been reported to have a relevant role in the global management of cancer pain. Radiotherapy (RT) has a fundamental part in the treatment of many pain conditions, particularly oral mucositis and painful bone metastases. AREAS COVERED The literature regarding the phenomenon of BP in the radiotherapy setting was reviewed. Three areas were assessed, including epidemiology, pharmacokinetics, and clinical data. EXPERT OPINION Qualitative and quantitative data regarding BP in the RT setting are poor in terms of scientific evidence. Most papers assessed fentanyl products, particularly fentanyl pectin nasal spray, to resolve possible problems with transmucosal absorption of fentanyl due to mucositis of the oral cavity in patients with head and neck cancer or to prevent and treat procedural pain during RT sessions. According to the lack of clinical studies with large number of patients, BP should be included in the agenda of radiation oncologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiano Mercadante
- Main Regional Center for Pain Relief & palliative/supportive Care, La Maddalena Cancer Center, Palermo
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3
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Villarroel PG, Padró JG, Marquina G, Jáñez NM, González EE, Antón A, Sánchez MB, Cáceres AR, López-López R, Cornejo RE, García PB, Fabregat RM, Fernández BC, Bermudo CL, Camps C. Increased quality of life in patients with breakthrough cancer pain after individualized therapy: the CAVIDIOM study. Future Oncol 2022; 18:3913-3927. [PMID: 36537885 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2022-0758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the quality of life (QoL) in patients with breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) in Spanish medical oncology departments. Patients & methods: In a prospective, observational, multicenter study, we assessed QoL using the EQ-5D-5L instrument at baseline and after 15 and 30 days of individualized BTcP therapy, as well as BTcP characteristics and treatment. Results: Patients (n = 118) were mainly women, over 64 years old and with advanced cancer. QoL improved at 15 (p = 0.013) and 30 days (p = 0.011) versus baseline. Individualized BTcP therapy consisted mostly of rapid-onset opioids (transmucosal fentanyl at doses of 67-800 μg) according to the physician evaluation. BTcP improved, including statistically significant reductions in intensity, duration, number of episodes in the last 24 h and time to onset of BTcP relief. Conclusion: QoL increased after individualized pain therapy in patients with advanced cancer and BTcP in medical oncology departments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Josep Gumà Padró
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan de Reus, URV, IISPV, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Gloria Marquina
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clinico Universitario San Carlos. Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), IdISSC, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Antonio Antón
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, IIS Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Miguel Berzosa Sánchez
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Virgen de La Cinta de Tortosa, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Alberto Rodrigo Cáceres
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova de Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Rafael López-López
- Department of Medical Oncology & Health Research Institute, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, CIBERONC, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Carlos Camps
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Department of Medicine, Universidad de Valencia; CIBERONC, Spain
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Rodríguez AT, Viejo MN, Maradey P, Canal-Sotelo J, Mancilla PG, Rivero SG, Casillas IR, Abián MH, Bermudo CL. Low-dose sublingual fentanyl improves quality of life in patients with breakthrough cancer pain in palliative care. Future Oncol 2022; 18:1717-1731. [PMID: 35137627 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2021-1639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: This subanalysis of the CAVIDIOPAL study evaluated the impact of individualized management of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) with fentanyl on the quality of life (QoL) of advanced cancer patients in Spanish palliative care units. Patients & methods: This was a prospective, observational, multicenter study. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer's QLQ-C30 questionnaire was used at baseline (V0) and visit 28 (V28). Results: Ninety-five patients were mainly treated with 67-133 μg fentanyl, showing a notable reduction in intensity (visual analog scale: 8.0 [V0] to 4.6 [V28]), frequency and duration of BTcP episodes shortly after the first 1-2 weeks of treatment, with significantly improved QoL (global health status: 31.1 [V0] to 53.1 [V28]). Conclusion: Low-dose sublingual fentanyl effectively reduced BTcP in advanced cancer patients in palliative care units, significantly improving QoL. Clinical trial registration: NCT02840500 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pablo Maradey
- Hospital de Sant Joan de Déu, Palma de Mallorca, 07007, Spain
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