Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42122272›Full record

ReviewCancers2026

Evolving Paradigms in Cancer Pain Management: From Opioid-Centric Care to Multimodal and Personalized Strategies.

Isabella Barrios, Sara A Thomas, Yesenia L Hernandez, Ana Pagan, Emily Munoz, Kamilah Cespedes, Saurabh Aggarwal

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Cancers, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Isabella BarriosAlabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, AL 36303, USA.ORCID 0009-0000-1220-755X
Sara A ThomasAlabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, AL 36303, USA.ORCID 0009-0002-6871-1768
Yesenia L HernandezDepartment of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33174, USA.ORCID 0009-0005-0601-9065
Ana PaganDepartment of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33174, USA.
Emily MunozDepartment of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33174, USA.
Kamilah CespedesDepartment of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33174, USA.
Saurabh AggarwalDepartment of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33174, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-7192-1569

Funding

Chronic Widespread Pain in HIV: Novel Mechanisms and TherapeuticsR01DA049657 · NIDA · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · PI AGGARWAL, SAURABH · 2021 to 2025
$1.8M
NIDA NIH HHS R01 DA049657NIDA NIH HHS R01DA049657
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesCancer-related pain remains one of the most prevalent and distressing symptoms across the disease trajectory, significantly impairing function and quality of life. Although opioids are central to managing moderate to severe pain, their limitations, including adverse effects, dependence risk, and societal concerns, highlight the need for more individualized and comprehensive strategies. This review aims to synthesize current approaches to cancer pain management within a palliative care framework, emphasizing multimodal, mechanism-based, and patient-centered care.

methodsA narrative review was conducted using literature searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Articles published between 2010 and 2026, with emphasis on recent literature (2020-2026), were included. Search terms included combinations of "cancer pain," "palliative care," "multimodal analgesia," "opioids," "adjuvant analgesics," and "neuropathic pain." Peer-reviewed studies, clinical guidelines, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses relevant to cancer pain mechanisms and management were considered.

resultsCancer pain is heterogeneous, arising from tumor progression and treatment-related injury, and includes neuropathic, visceral, and somatic components. Effective management requires mechanism-based assessment and multimodal strategies. Adjuvant analgesics, such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, corticosteroids, and topical agents, enhance pain control and reduce opioid reliance. Non-pharmacological interventions and early integration of palliative care further improve symptom management and quality of life. Emerging therapies, including cannabinoid-based treatments and gene-targeted approaches, show promise but require further clinical validation.

conclusionsA multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach that integrates pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies is essential for optimizing cancer pain management. Advancing toward personalized and multimodal care models may improve outcomes, reduce opioid-related risks, and enhance quality of life for patients with cancer.

Indexed as

adjuvant analgesicscancer painmultimodal analgesiaopioidspalliative carepersonalized medicinesupportive oncology

Identifiers

PMID42122272
PMCPMC13162963

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.