<p>Patient Satisfaction with Fentanyl Pectin Nasal Spray in Breakthrough Cancer Pain Management During Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer</p>

Abstract

The severity of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) impacts patients' quality of life, increases the risk of anxiety and depression, lowers functional capacities, and may lead to poor compliance with cancer treatments. The aim of the current study was to assess, in a real-life setting, patient satisfaction with a fentanyl-pectin-nasal-spray (FPNS) for BTcP management in head and neck (H&N) cancer patients treated by radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: This non-interventional, prospective study was conducted in 92 adult H&N-cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and who started FPNS treatment for BTcP. Throughout the radiotherapy period, the patients completed self-diaries to assess their BTcP episodes, FPNS use, satisfaction on FPNS efficiency (primary outcome), tolerability and ease of use. Results: Prior to FPNS treatment, 86% of the patients were experiencing ≤4 BTcP episodes/day. During the radiotherapy period, the BTcP episodes were treated with a median dose of 100µg of FPNS. Patients were "satisfied/very-satisfied" with the efficiency (73% of assessments), ease of use (87% of assessments) and tolerability (87% of assessments) of FPNS. In total, 27% of patients reported at least one adverse event related to FPNS and 4% of patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events. None of the adverse events were serious. Patient quality of life was maintained throughout the radiotherapy period. Conclusion: This study showed, in a real-life setting, that a clear majority of H&N cancer patients treated with FPNS for BTcP throughout radiotherapy expressed satisfaction with this analgesic treatment.

Patients’ Satisfaction with Breakthrough Cancer Pain Therapy: A Secondary Analysis of IOPS-MS Study

“…Moreover, we also previously demonstrate that level of satisfaction was significantly associated with the use of fastest onset opioids, especially fentanyl pectin nasal spray (FPNS). 2 , 6 , 7 , 9 …”

“… 5 The severity of BTcP impacts patients’ activities of daily living, increases the risk of anxiety and depression, lowers functional capacities, and may lead to poor compliance with cancer treatments. 6–8 …”

The Relevance of Assessing Subjective Experiences of Skin Toxicity During Adjuvant Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer

“…This result suggests that the newly developed topical product was evaluated as more effective than the standard-of-care in reducing pain and increasing relief when skin toxicity was at its highest levels. This is a crucial finding, since pain represents one of the main contributors of poor physical and emotional well-being in cancer patients ( 31 ) and the management of RT-induced pain is fundamental for diminishing the likelihood of treatment interruption ( 32 ).…”

Rapid-Onset Opioids for Management of Breakthrough Cancer Pain: Considerations for Daily Practice

“…Moreover, a reduction in the number of BTcP episodes was documented and patient satisfaction was rated as excellent or good (21,22). Patient satisfaction was also rated as high with fentanyl pectin nasal spray (23). While some reports suggested that fentanyl buccal tablet may have some advantages over other fentanyl formulations, this has not been consistently demonstrated (24).…”

“…During curative radiotherapy, patients with head and neck cancer (irrespective of whether or not they are receiving chemotherapy) have been shown to benefit from the use of intranasal fentanyl, with a decrease in the frequency of incidental BTcP caused by food/liquid swallowing (40). Very recently, high rates of patient satisfaction were also shown with an intranasal formulation of fentanyl in patients undergoing radiotherapy who are at high risk of mucositis (23).…”