Investigating the link between opioid use and cancer risk

The Opioid Cohort Consortium (OPICO) to investigate the effects of using opioids on cancer risk

NIH-funded research International Agency for Res on Cancer · NIH-11059926

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 typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionInternational Agency for Res on Cancer NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Lyon, France)
Project IDNIH-11059926 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: 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.

Not a fit: Patients who have never used prescription opioids or those with no history of cancer risk factors may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Lyon, France

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Bladder CancerCancer CauseCancer Causing Agents
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.