Morphine fuels spread of cancer
Thursday November 19 2009
Morphine could be worsening the condition of thousands of cancer patients who routinely receive the painkilling drug, new research suggests.
Scientists have found evidence that the opiate may fuel the growth and spread of cancer cells. They also showed that another drug can block the effect, without impairing morphine's ability to fight pain.
The discovery may mean that in future, cancer patients will be given methylnaltrexone, which was developed in the 1980s to prevent morphine causing constipation. The drug targets peripheral side effects of morphine without interfering with its painkilling properties.
Dr Patrick Singleton, from the University of Chicago said: "If confirmed clinically, this could change how we do surgical anaesthesia for our cancer patients. It also suggests potential new applications for this novel class of drugs, which should be explored."
- John von Radowitz in Chicago
Irish Independent
