Understanding Opioid Pain Treatment for Metastatic Cancer
Official title: Opioid therapy for pain in individuals with metastatic cancer: benefits, harms and stakeholder perspectives
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11118820 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how opioid medications help or harm people with metastatic cancer who are managing pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $683,715 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NR020031-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11118820 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would be individuals with metastatic cancer who are experiencing pain and are using or considering opioid therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have metastatic cancer or are not experiencing pain would likely not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Many people with metastatic cancer experience pain, and opioids are a common treatment. While opioids are widely used, we don't fully understand their specific benefits and potential risks for individuals with metastatic cancer, especially compared to those with other types of chronic pain. This project aims to gather information on both the positive effects of opioids on pain and any negative side effects. By doing so, we hope to provide clearer guidance for patients and doctors to make informed decisions about pain management.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better guidelines and more personalized pain management strategies for individuals living with metastatic cancer.
How similar studies have gone: While extensive research exists on opioid use for non-cancer pain, studies specifically focused on the benefits and harms for individuals with metastatic cancer are limited and have methodological gaps.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: White, Gretchen — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: White, Gretchen
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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.