Michael A Überall1, Gerhard H H Müller-Schwefe. 1. Institute for Quality Assurance in Pain Therapy and Palliative Care Medicine (Institut für Qualitätssicherung in Schmerztherapie und Palliativmedizin, IQUISP), Nürnberg, Germany. Michael.Ueberall@ifnap.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) affects more than half of patients with cancer pain and has severe detrimental impacts on quality of life (QoL). This study evaluated the efficacy, QoL impact and safety of sublingual fentanyl orally disintegrating tablet (sublingual fentanyl ODT), for the treatment of BTcP in a clinical setting. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a prospective, multi-center phase IV study. Opioid-tolerant adult patients with BTcP received sublingual fentanyl ODT in the course of routine clinical practice, and completed questionnaires over a 28-day observation period. Efficacy was assessed using measures of maximum BTcP intensity and the times to first effect and maximum effect of sublingual fentanyl ODT. Changes in QoL were evaluated using the modified pain disability index (mPDI) and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Adverse events were recorded throughout. RESULTS: Of 217 enrolled patients, 181 (83.4%) completed the observation period. During the study, 3163 episodes were treated with a mean dose of 401.4 μg per episode. The study recorded a significant improvement in maximum BTcP intensity with sublingual fentanyl ODT, compared with baseline (p < 0.0001). Patients reported experiencing the first effects of the study drug within 5 minutes of administration in 67.7% of episodes, and maximum effect within 30 minutes in 63.2% of episodes. mPDI and HADS scores significantly improved during the observation period (p < 0.0001). Sublingual fentanyl ODT was well-tolerated, with 12 patients (5.5%) experiencing ≥1 study drug-related adverse event. Study limitations include a modest size and duration, and the single-arm design. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of a phase IV study, sublingual fentanyl ODT was effective and well-tolerated for the treatment of BTcP in opioid-tolerant cancer patients. Study treatment was associated with significant improvements in BTcP intensity and QoL scores, and patients reported rapid onset of action in the majority of episodes.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) affects more than half of patients with cancer pain and has severe detrimental impacts on quality of life (QoL). This study evaluated the efficacy, QoL impact and safety of sublingual fentanyl orally disintegrating tablet (sublingual fentanyl ODT), for the treatment of BTcP in a clinical setting. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a prospective, multi-center phase IV study. Opioid-tolerant adult patients with BTcP received sublingual fentanyl ODT in the course of routine clinical practice, and completed questionnaires over a 28-day observation period. Efficacy was assessed using measures of maximum BTcP intensity and the times to first effect and maximum effect of sublingual fentanyl ODT. Changes in QoL were evaluated using the modified pain disability index (mPDI) and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Adverse events were recorded throughout. RESULTS: Of 217 enrolled patients, 181 (83.4%) completed the observation period. During the study, 3163 episodes were treated with a mean dose of 401.4 μg per episode. The study recorded a significant improvement in maximum BTcP intensity with sublingual fentanyl ODT, compared with baseline (p < 0.0001). Patients reported experiencing the first effects of the study drug within 5 minutes of administration in 67.7% of episodes, and maximum effect within 30 minutes in 63.2% of episodes. mPDI and HADS scores significantly improved during the observation period (p < 0.0001). Sublingual fentanyl ODT was well-tolerated, with 12 patients (5.5%) experiencing ≥1 study drug-related adverse event. Study limitations include a modest size and duration, and the single-arm design. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of a phase IV study, sublingual fentanyl ODT was effective and well-tolerated for the treatment of BTcP in opioid-tolerant cancerpatients. Study treatment was associated with significant improvements in BTcP intensity and QoL scores, and patients reported rapid onset of action in the majority of episodes.
Authors: Jordi Guitart; Isabel Vargas; Vicente De Sanctis; Julia Ferreras; Jose Fuentes; Rafael Salazar; Juan M Vázquez; Jordi Folch; Jordi Moya; Hermann Ribera; Francisco Rodelas; Albert Tomás; María Arilla; Joan Coma; Teresa Aberasturi; Dolores Sintes; Ester Lombán Journal: Clin Drug Investig Date: 2013-09 Impact factor: 2.859
Authors: Andrew Davies; Ulrich R Kleeberg; Jerzy Jarosz; Sebastiano Mercadante; Philippe Poulain; Tony O'Brien; Hélène Schneid; Hans G Kress Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2015-01-04 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Jordi Guitart; María Isabel Vargas; Vicente De Sanctis; Jordi Folch; Rafael Salazar; José Fuentes; Jordi Coma; Julia Ferreras; Jordi Moya; Albert Tomás; Pere Estivill; Francisco Rodelas; Antonio Javier Jiménez Journal: Clin Drug Investig Date: 2015-12 Impact factor: 2.859