Sublingual fentanyl orally disintegrating tablet in daily practice: efficacy, safety and tolerability in patients with breakthrough cancer pain

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.

Key words::

• Breakthrough pain
• Cancer
• Efficacy
• Fentanyl
• Safety
• Sublingual administration
• Transmucosal

Transparency

Declaration of funding

The study concept was developed by the German Institute for Quality Assurance in Pain Therapy and Palliative Care (IQUISP). The study was commissioned by the German Pain Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Schmerztherapie, DGS) and supported by an unrestricted grant from ProStrakan Group Ltd. Preparation and publication of this article was supported by ProStrakan Group Ltd.

Declaration of financial/other relationships

M.U. and G.M-S. have disclosed that they have acted as speakers and have participated in advisory board meetings for ProStrakan Group Ltd. CMRO peer reviewers may have received honoraria for their review work. The peer reviewers on this manuscript have disclosed that they have no relevant financial relationships.

Acknowledgments

Assistance with writing and preparation of this article was provided by Acumen Healthcare Communications Ltd, supported by ProStrakan Group Ltd. The authors would also like to thank Rob Derrick and Julian Howell (employees of ProStrakan) for their help with the manuscript.

Previous presentation of data

21st German Pain and Palliative Care Congress, 2010. Überall M. Interim data of the German Abstral PMS. Satellite symposium, Friday 19 March.

6th Research Congress of the EAPC, 2010. Überall M. Abstral in practice: German PMS results. Satellite symposium, Friday 11 June.

Notes

* Abstral is a registered trademark of ProStrakan, Galashiels, UK