Related Experiment Videos
Continuous spinal anesthesia for cancer and chronic pain
1Department of Anesthesiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
Regional Anesthesia
|November 1, 1993
Summary
New intrathecal (spinal) drug therapies show promise for managing intractable chronic and cancer pain. Research explores non-opioid and novel opioid agonists for better pain relief, overcoming tolerance and resistance issues.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience and Pharmacology
- Pain Management Research
- Intrathecal Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Spinal opioid use for intractable pain is hindered by tolerance and opioid resistance.
- Existing treatments face limitations in efficacy for certain chronic and cancer pain conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review clinical and experimental data on intrathecal drug therapies for intractable pain.
- To explore the potential of novel opioid and non-opioid agents for spinal administration.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of clinical experiences with spinal mu-opioid agonists for chronic and cancer pain.
- Review of experimental data on intrathecal non-mu opioid agonists and non-opioid agonists/antagonists.
Main Results:
- Intrathecal mu-agonists (e.g., morphine) are effective for most cancer pain but show variable tolerance/resistance.
- Delta-opioid agonists and non-opioid analgesics demonstrate efficacy in preclinical models and some clinical trials.
- NMDA and NK-1 receptor antagonists show promise in preclinical models of spinal sensitization.
Conclusions:
- Several novel agents show potential as intrathecal drugs for intractable chronic and cancer pain.
- Further research into these agents may lead to improved pain management strategies.