Using genetic testing to improve pain management in cancer patients

C-PAIN: Catalyzing Pharmacogenomic Analysis for Informing Pain Treatment

Not applicable Interventional University of Chicago · NCT06511401

This study tests whether genetic testing can help doctors choose the right opioid doses to better manage pain for adults with cancer.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment800 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Chicago Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsradiation
Locations1 site (Chicago, Illinois)
Trial IDNCT06511401 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the impact of preemptive pharmacogenomic testing on opioid dosing decisions and pain management in adult cancer patients. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive pharmacogenomic results that may guide their opioid therapy. The goal is to determine if this approach can lead to better pain control and more personalized treatment plans for patients undergoing oncologic care.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults receiving ongoing oncology care who are expected to require opioid pain medication in the near future.

Not a fit: Patients currently taking opioids, undergoing palliative radiation, or with certain medical conditions such as chronic kidney disease or active blood cancers may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more effective pain management strategies tailored to individual genetic profiles.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using pharmacogenomic approaches for pain management, indicating potential success for this method.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Persons receiving ongoing oncology care at the University of Chicago Medical Center for whom near-future pain opioid pain medication therapy is anticipated
* Subjects must be at least 18 years of age.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subjects taking an opioid at the time of enrollment, or within the past 30 days
* Subjects who are currently undergoing palliative radiation
* Subjects who have undergone, or are being actively considered for, bone marrow, liver or kidney transplantation.
* Subjects with a history of or active blood cancer (e.g., leukemia).
* Chronic kidney disease, as defined by Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) \< 30/mL/min/1.73m2, due to the risk of decreased drug excretion.
* Liver dysfunction, as defined by the following laboratory values, due to the risk of decreased drug metabolism: Total bilirubin greater than or equal to1.5 mg/dL, Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) greater than or equal to 2.5 X upper limit of normal\*. (\*Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) \\ greater than or equal to 5 X upper limit of normal if hepatic metastases are present).
* Inability to understand and give informed consent to participate in the opinion of the investigator
* Subjects who are known to be pregnant at the time of enrollment
* Subjects who have previously or are currently enrolled in another institutional pharmacogenomic genotyping study, or are known to have previously undergone pharmacogenomic genotyping for the gene(s) of interest via another commercial or other means.

Where this trial is running

Chicago, Illinois

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Adult Patients Who Are Receiving Oncologic CarePharmacogenomicOpioids
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.