Treatment of Neuropathic Pain Directly Due to Cancer: An Update

Abstract

Neuropathic pain can be defined as pain related to abnormal somatosensory processing in either the peripheral or central nervous system. In this review article, with neuropathic cancer pain (NCP), we refer to pain due to nervous tissue lesions caused by the tumor or its metastases. Nervous tissue damage is the cause of cancer pain in approximately 40% of those experiencing cancer pain. Recognizing a neuropathic pathophysiology in these cases may be difficult and requires specific criteria that are not homogenously applied in clinical practice. The management of this type of pain can be challenging, requiring the use of specific non-opioid adjuvant drugs. The majority of the criteria for NCP diagnosis and management have been based mainly on results from the noncancer population, risking the failure of addressing the specific needs of this population of patients. In this review, we summarize current management options available for NCP and provide some insights on new promising treatments.

The Special One: Architecture, Physiology and Pharmacology of the TRESK Channel

“…Some evidence exists, that TRESK channels contribute to neuropathic (NP) and bone cancerinduced pain, which arise from lesions at the sensory nerve system caused by traumatic or inflammatory nerve damage (Fig. 4C) [80][81][82]. First association with NP was raised by the observed TRESK downregulation after in vivo axotomy [51].…”

Negative allosteric modulation of cannabinoid CB1receptor signaling suppresses opioid-mediated tolerance and withdrawal without blocking opioid antinociception

“…The opioid epidemic remains an issue of great concern that has led to innumerable drug overdose deaths globally [1][2][3]. While opioids continue to be prescribed for relieving cancer, postoperative and neuropathic pain [4][5][6], their chronic clinical use is limited by adverse side-effects, including analgesic tolerance, physical dependence, withdrawal, constipation, respiratory depression and, in extreme cases, a fatal overdose [7][8][9][10][11][12]. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies that can spare opioid analgesic efficacy while circumventing their unwanted side-effects remain an urgent and unmet therapeutic need.…”

NT5DC2 knockdown suppresses progression, glycolysis, and neuropathic pain in triple‐negative breast cancer by blocking the EGFR pathway

“…5 Additionally, the presence of cancers and their metastases can lead to neuropathic pain due to nervous tissue damage. 6 Managing neuropathic pain in patients with BRCA, particularly those with TNBC, is a challenging and complex task. 7 Therefore, the development of novel and effective therapies for TNBC.…”

“…The absence of targetable hormone receptors and HER2 expression in TNBC restrict therapeutic options, with chemotherapy being the sole available treatment, although it has limited efficacy 5 . Additionally, the presence of cancers and their metastases can lead to neuropathic pain due to nervous tissue damage 6 . Managing neuropathic pain in patients with BRCA, particularly those with TNBC, is a challenging and complex task 7 .…”