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Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1
Published on: December 5, 2020
Does Opioid Use Cause Angiogenesis and Metastasis?
Ravi K Grandhi1, Samuel Lee1, Alaa Abd-Elsayed2
1College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, OH, USA.
Morphine, used for cancer pain, may promote tumor growth and spread (angiogenesis and metastasis). This review synthesizes evidence suggesting a potential link, highlighting multiple contributing factors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Morphine is a primary analgesic for cancer pain.
- Emerging research suggests opioids may impact angiogenesis and metastasis.
- A comprehensive synthesis of this relationship is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of morphine's potential role in angiogenesis and metastasis.
- To highlight morphine's relationship with angiogenesis and metastasis in in vitro models.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of PubMed and Cochrane Library (1966-2015).
- Inclusion of 12 articles from 84 initial reviews.
- Assessment of studies using the PRISMA checklist.
Main Results:
- The review identified a potential causal relationship between morphine and angiogenesis/metastasis.
- Multiple etiologies are implicated in this relationship.
Conclusions:
- Morphine may have a causal link to angiogenesis and metastasis.
- Contributing factors include immunosuppressive, pro-inflammatory, and pro-angiogenetic effects.
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