Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
F. De Iaco, G. Mannaioni, S. Serra, G. Finco, S. Sartori, E. Gandolfo, P. Sansone, F. Marinangeli
Summary: This paper provides guidelines for the correct use of opioid medications in the treatment of emergency and postoperative pain. It discusses equianalgesia tables and pain management in special populations, and includes an extended and updated equianalgesia table for different opioid formulations.
EUROPEAN REVIEW FOR MEDICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Akhila Reddy, Ali Haider, Joseph Arthur, David Hui, Shalini Dalal, Rony Dev, Kimberson Tanco, Jaya Amaram-Davila, Farley Hernandez, Paul Chavez, Aline Rozman De Moraes, Jimin Wu, Kristy Nguyen, Ishwaria Subbiah, Daniel Epner, Zeena Shelal, Marvin Omar Delgado Guay, Tarun Mallipeddi, Eduardo Bruera
Summary: This study aimed to determine the success rate and median opioid dose of opioid rotation to levorphanol in cancer patients. The results showed that 82.5% of patients successfully completed the medication rotation and achieved pain relief. This study provided preliminary data for the use of levorphanol in pain management for cancer patients.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Natasha Michael, Merlina Sulistio, Robert Wojnar, Alexandra Gorelik
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the impact of opioid rotation on refractory cancer induced bone pain (CIBP) by comparing methadone rotation with other opioids. The study will recruit CIBP patients and assess the analgesic efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the rotation therapy, as well as observe improvements in pain reduction, pain interference, and quality of life. This study is of great significance in improving patients' quality of life and psychological well-being.
BMC PALLIATIVE CARE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eleftherios Kosmidis, Christopher G. Shuttle, Julia Preobraschenski, Marcelo Ganzella, Peter J. Johnson, Salome Veshaguri, Jesper Holmkvist, Mads P. Moller, Orestis Marantos, Frank Marcoline, Michael Grabe, Jesper L. Pedersen, Reinhard Jahn, Dimitrios Stamou
Summary: Vacuolar-type adenosine triphosphatases (V-ATPases) play a vital role in establishing electrochemical proton gradients in cells. This study reveals that V-ATPases do not pump continuously, but rather switch between different modes stochastically.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
David R. Axon, Megan Grieser
Summary: This study investigates the variables associated with multimorbidity status among older US adults with self-reported pain and opioid use. The study finds that individuals aged 50-64, Hispanic, employed, and those who exercise frequently have lower odds of having multimorbidity.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Haiying Ding, Yu Song, Wenxiu Xin, Jiao Sun, Like Zhong, Qinfei Zhou, Chaoneng He, Liyan Gong, Luo Fang
Summary: The study demonstrates that methadone is an effective, safe, and cost-saving treatment for refractory cancer pain. Most patients successfully switched from prior opioid treatments to methadone, resulting in significantly improved pain control.
BMC PALLIATIVE CARE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Juan P. Cata, Pascal Owusu-Agyemang, Dhanalakshmi Koyyalagunta, German Corrales, Lei Feng, Keith Fournier
Summary: The study showed that the use of ketamine can reduce perioperative opioid consumption in patients undergoing CRS-HIPEC, but it does not improve long-term opioid use and chronic pain. Postoperative complications and reoperations were identified as independent predictors of persistent pain.
JOURNAL OF PAIN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sebastiano Mercadante, Augusto Caraceni, Arturo Cuomo, Massimo Mammucari, Paolo Marchetti, Rocco Domenico Mediati, Silvia Natoli, Giuseppe Tonini
Summary: After one-month follow-up, cancer patients experienced a lower number of breakthrough pain episodes and peak intensity, potentially due to optimization of background analgesia. The principal characteristics of breakthrough pain did not change significantly, highlighting the importance of careful and continuous assessment for patients to alleviate the burden induced by breakthrough pain episodes.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Karine Alcala, Hossein Poustchi, Vivian Viallon, Farhad Islami, Akram Pourshams, Alireza Sadjadi, Saeed Nemati, Masoud Khoshnia, Abdolsamad Gharavi, Gholamreza Roshandel, Maryam Hashemian, Sanford M. Dawsey, Christian C. Abnet, Paul Brennan, Paolo Boffetta, Kazem Zendehdel, Farin Kamangar, Reza Malekzadeh, Mahdi Sheikh
Summary: In a region where opium is widely used, opium use alone or in combination with cigarette smoking has a significant impact on cancer burden. The use of opium and/or cigarettes is estimated to account for 13% of all cancers, 58% of opium-related cancers, and 15% of tobacco-related cancers.
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Vitaly V. Ordomsky
Summary: In a recent issue of Nature Sustainability, Tang and co-workers reported the selective oxidation of methane to methanol and formaldehyde using quantum-sized bismuth vanadate nanoparticles under visible and UV light. This achievement provides a new approach to selectively catalyze the oxidation of methane at high productivities.
Review
Otorhinolaryngology
Beatrice C. Go, Cammille C. Go, Kevin Chorath, Alvaro Moreira, Karthik Rajasekaran
Summary: The study aimed to analyze the safety and efficacy of using multimodal analgesia in patients undergoing head and neck cancer surgery with free flap reconstruction. The results showed a significant decrease in postoperative opioid usage in the MMA groups, significant pain improvement, with no significant differences in surgical outcomes, complications, and adverse effects.
OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Oncology
D. Max Smith, William D. Figg
Summary: This commentary reviews a recent trial on the relationship between COMT genotype and opioid dose requirements, and discusses the potential role of COMT and other genes (such as CYP2D6) in opioid therapy. It also provides an overview of the current evidence for germline pharmacogenetics and available resources for opioid pharmacogenetics.
Article
Oncology
M. Fallon, K. Dierberger, M. Leng, P. S. Hall, S. Allende, R. Sabar, E. Verastegui, D. Gordon, L. Grant, R. Lee, K. McWillams, G. D. Murray, L. Norris, C. Reid, T. A. Sande, A. Caraceni, S. Kaasa, B. J. A. Laird
Summary: This study suggests that omitting step 2 of the WHO ladder in cancer pain management and using low-dose strong opioids as an alternative can be more efficient and cost-effective, with fewer side effects.
ANNALS OF ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Sydney Trask, Jeffrey S. Mogil, Fred J. Helmstetter, Cheryl L. Stucky, Katelyn E. Sadler
Summary: The mechanisms underlying the transition from acute to chronic pain are still unclear, but it may involve the persistence or strengthening of pain memories acquired through associative learning. Recent studies have shown that contextual cues play a critical role in regulating pain memory. Animals and humans exhibit increased pain sensitivity in environments associated with painful experiences. This study suggests that pain perception and activation of endogenous opioid systems can be modified through psychological association with environmental cues.
Review
Surgery
Hala Muaddi, Erin Lillie, Stephanie Silva, Jori-Lee Cross, Karim Ladha, Stephen Choi, Aaron Mocon, Paul Karanicolas
Summary: This study systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the effects of cryotherapy on closed incisions. The results showed that cryotherapy can significantly reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption. However, it has no effect on hospital length of stay or surgical site infection rate.
Article
Anesthesiology
Morena Shkodra, Cinzia Brunelli, Ernesto Zecca, Fabio Formaglio, Paola Bracchi, Silvia Lo Dico, Mariangela Caputo, Stein Kaasa, Augusto Caraceni
Summary: The study highlights the lack of standardized clinical diagnosis for Neuropathic cancer pain (NcP), leading to disagreements in classification among clinicians. Discordance was particularly high for specific pain syndromes.
Article
Oncology
Marco Fiore, Augusto Caraceni, Alessandro Gronchi
ANNALS OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Sara Alfieri, Cinzia Brunelli, Giuseppe Capri, Augusto Caraceni, Giulia V. Bianchi, Claudia Borreani
Summary: The study aims to understand the needs of patients with metastatic breast cancer, and identified four themes through thematic analysis: the need for clinical recognition, more attention from healthcare professionals, more and better services available at the hospital, and specific public health policies. The findings suggest that changes in attitudes and multidisciplinary practices are needed to meet these needs in the metastatic phase of breast cancer.
JOURNAL OF CANCER EDUCATION
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Stefano De Santis, Maria Domenica Simone, Sebastiano Mercadante, Rocco Domenico Mediati, Renato Vellucci, Paolo Marchetti, Giuseppe Tonini, Arturo Cuomo, Augusto Caraceni, Silvia Natoli, Grazia Armento, Livio Blasi, Massimo Mammucari
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness of the immediate-release fixed combination of oxycodone/acetaminophen for cancer patients with background and breakthrough pain. The results showed that the combination provided adequate analgesia for moderate-severe background cancer pain. The characteristics of breakthrough cancer pain differed between the two groups, with group A showing lower intensity and faster onset compared to group B.
CANCER MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Oncology
A. M. Frezza, A. Napolitano, R. Miceli, G. Badalamenti, A. Brunello, C. Buonomenna, P. G. Casali, A. Caraceni, G. Grignani, A. Gronchi, G. Infante, C. Morosi, L. Saita, N. Simeone, N. Zaffaroni, B. Vincenzi, S. Stacchiotti
Summary: This multicentric, retrospective study investigated clinical features and possible prognostic relevance in advanced EHE patients on surveillance. Symptoms like tumor-related pain, temperature, fatigue, and serosal effusion were associated with progression-free survival and overall survival, suggesting upfront treatment in this subgroup could be beneficial.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Roberto De Giorgio, Furio Massimino Zucco, Giuseppe Chiarioni, Sebastiano Mercadante, Enrico Stefano Corazziari, Augusto Caraceni, Patrizio Odetti, Raffaele Giusti, Franco Marinangeli, Carmine Pinto
Summary: The prescribing and use of opioid analgesics are increasing in Italy due to a wider variety of available products and the prevalence of conditions associated with severe pain. An Italian multidisciplinary panel provides expert opinions on the management of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) and bowel dysfunction, recommending a comprehensive strategy that includes various interventions to prevent and manage OIC.
ADVANCES IN THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Chiara Pellegrini, Augusto T. Caraceni, Maura Massimino, Annarita De Vivo, Maria Grazia Blandini, Beatrice Simoncini, Marco Chisari, Livia I. E. Bedodi, Raffaella Sensi, Cinzia Brunelli
Summary: This paper describes the development process and outcomes of a DNPM multidimensional assessment grid for children with CNS tumors. The tool was found to be clinically useful for planning neuro-oncology rehabilitation treatment and feasible for use in both preschool and school-age children.
PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Flaminia Coluzzi, Domenico Alvaro, Augusto Tommaso Caraceni, Walter Gianni, Franco Marinangeli, Giuseppe Massazza, Carmine Pinto, Giustino Varrassi, Fabio Lugoboni
Summary: Despite general interest in the topic, a survey in Italy found that most physicians prescribing opioids felt inadequately educated about opioid-induced constipation (OIC). The study revealed differences in clinical practices across physician specialties, with a preference for macrogol prophylaxis and treatment of OIC symptoms. However, the use of peripheral-acting mu opioid receptor antagonists (PAMORAs) was limited among physicians surveyed.
JOURNAL OF PAIN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sebastiano Mercadante, Augusto Caraceni, Arturo Cuomo, Massimo Mammucari, Paolo Marchetti, Rocco Domenico Mediati, Silvia Natoli, Giuseppe Tonini
Summary: After one-month follow-up, cancer patients experienced a lower number of breakthrough pain episodes and peak intensity, potentially due to optimization of background analgesia. The principal characteristics of breakthrough pain did not change significantly, highlighting the importance of careful and continuous assessment for patients to alleviate the burden induced by breakthrough pain episodes.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Marco Cascella, Anna Crispo, Gennaro Esposito, Cira Antonietta Forte, Sergio Coluccia, Giuseppe Porciello, Alfonso Amore, Sabrina Bimonte, Sebastiano Mercadante, Augusto Caraceni, Massimo Mammucari, Paolo Marchetti, Rocco Domenico Mediati, Silvia Natoli, Giuseppe Tonini, Arturo Cuomo
Summary: This paper addresses the management of NP-BTcP through a mathematical approach, offering important clinical insights and providing guidance for identifying diagnostic and therapeutic gaps.
Review
Oncology
S. Stacchiotti, A. B. Miah, A. M. Frezza, C. Messiou, C. Morosi, A. Caraceni, C. R. Antonescu, J. Bajpai, E. Baldini, S. Bauer, R. Biagini, S. Bielack, J. Y. Blay, S. Bonvalot, I Boukovinas, J. V. M. G. Bovee, K. Boye, T. Brodowicz, D. Callegaro, E. De Alava, M. Deoras-Sutliff, A. Dufresne, M. Eriksson, C. Errani, A. Fedenko, V Ferraresi, A. Ferrari, C. D. M. Fletcher, X. Garcia Del Muro, H. Gelderblom, R. A. Gladdy, F. Gouin, G. Grignani, J. Gutkovich, R. Haas, N. Hindi, P. Hohenberger, P. Huang, H. Joensuu, R. L. Jones, C. Jungels, B. Kasper, A. Kawai, A. Le Cesne, F. Le Grange, A. Leithner, H. Leonard, A. Lopez Pousa, J. Martin Broto, O. Merimsky, P. Merriam, R. Miceli, O. Mir, M. Molinari, M. Montemurro, G. Oldani, E. Palmerini, M. A. Pantaleo, S. Patel, S. Piperno-Neumann, C. P. Raut, V Ravi, A. R. A. Razak, P. Reichardt, B. P. Rubin, P. Rutkowski, A. A. Safwat, C. Sangalli, G. Sapisochin, M. Sbaraglia, S. Scheipl, P. Schoffski, D. Strauss, S. J. Strauss, K. Sundby Hall, W. D. Tap, A. Trama, A. Tweddle, W. T. A. van der Graaf, M. A. J. Van de Sande, W. Van Houdt, G. van Oortmerssen, A. J. Wagner, M. Wartenberg, J. Wood, N. Zaffaroni, C. Zimmermann, P. G. Casali, A. P. Dei Tos, A. Gronchi
Summary: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare vascular sarcoma with variable clinical behavior and systemic involvement. Currently, there are no approved systemic agents specifically for EHE, leading to challenges in treatment selection for patients. In order to address this issue, a global consensus meeting was organized to define evidence-based best practices for the optimal approach to primary and metastatic EHE.
Article
Oncology
Cinzia Brunelli, Emanuela Zito, Sara Alfieri, Claudia Borreani, Anna Roli, Augusto Caraceni, Giovanni Apolone
Summary: The survey revealed that HCPs have a moderate level of knowledge about common PROM tools but they are underutilized in practice. Despite a generally positive attitude towards PROMs, the implementation of ePROMs would require adequate resources and training.
Review
Pediatrics
Viviana Fusetti, Luca Re, Alessandra Pigni, Antonino Tallarita, Silvia Cilluffo, Augusto Tommaso Caraceni, Maura Lusignani
Summary: Clown therapy appears to be effective in reducing procedural pain in children, particularly for older age groups. However, caution should be exercised when interpreting the results due to the poor quality and high risk of bias in the included studies.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Gursharan Sohi, Nicholas Lao, Augusto Caraceni, Dwight E. Moulin, Camilla Zimmermann, Leonie Herx, Ian Gilron
Summary: Pain is common in cancer patients, and the use of opioids for treatment is limited by various factors. Therefore, evaluating the efficacy of nonopioid combinations for cancer-related pain is important. Limited evidence suggests that combining nonopioid drugs may be promising, but more high-quality trials are needed.
Article
Oncology
Marco Fiore, Cinzia Brunelli, Rosalba Miceli, Michele Manara, Susanna Lenna, Nicolo N. Rampello, Dario Callegaro, Chiara Colombo, Stefano Radaelli, Sandro Pasquali, Augusto T. Caraceni, Alessandro Gronchi
Summary: This study examined the quality of life of patients with primary retroperitoneal sarcoma who underwent multivisceral resection surgery, finding an improvement in overall health status after surgery but a presence of chronic neuropathic pain.
ANNALS OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
(2021)