Investigating the link between opioid use and cancer risk
Official title: The Opioid Cohort Consortium (OPICO) to investigate the effects of using opioids on cancer risk
Funded at International Agency for Res on Cancer · NIH-11059926 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into whether taking prescription opioids might increase the chances of getting different types of cancer, and it's for people who use these medications and want to understand how they might affect their health over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | International Agency for Res on Cancer NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lyon, France) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $514,250 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA289226-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11059926 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have been prescribed opioids for chronic pain management and are concerned about their long-term health outcomes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have never used prescription opioids or those with no history of cancer risk factors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to explore how the use of prescription opioids may affect the risk of developing various types of cancer. By utilizing data from multiple countries, the study will analyze information from prospective cohort studies, medication dispensing records, and healthcare databases to identify potential connections between opioid use and cancer incidence. Patients will be monitored over time to gather comprehensive data on their opioid usage and other health factors that could influence cancer risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide critical insights into the safety of opioid prescriptions and their potential cancer risks, leading to better patient care and treatment guidelines.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated potential links between opioid use and cancer, but this study aims to build on those findings with a more comprehensive and methodologically rigorous approach.
Where this research is happening
-
International Agency for Res on Cancer
Lyon, France Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sheikh, Mahdi — International Agency for Res on Cancer
- Study coordinator: Sheikh, Mahdi
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.