Intrathecal Drug Delivery and Spinal Cord Stimulation for the Treatment of Cancer Pain

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of the present investigation is to summarize the body and quality of evidence including the most recent studies in support of intrathecal drug delivery systems and spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of cancer-related pain.Recent FindingsIn the past 3  years, a number of prospective studies have been published supporting intrathecal drug delivery systems for cancer pain. Additional investigation with adjuvants to morphine-based analgesia including dexmedetomidine and ziconotide support drug-induced benefits of patient-controlled intrathecal anal gesia. A study has also been recently published regarding cost-savings for intrathecal drug delivery system compared to pharmacologic management, but an analysis in the Ontario, Canada healthcare system projects additional financial costs. Finally, the Polyanalgesic Consensus Committee has updated i ts recommendations regarding clinical guidelines for intrathecal drug delivery systems to include new information on dosing, trialing, safety, and systemic opioid reduction. There is still a paucity of clinical evidence for spinal cord stimulation in the treatment of cancer pain. There are new intra thecal drugs under investigation including various conopeptides and AYX1.SummaryLarge, prospective, modern, randomized controlled studies are still needed to support the use of both intrathecal drug delivery systems as well as spinal cord stimulation for cancer pain populations. There are multiple pro...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - Category: Neurology Source Type: research