Patient Satisfaction with Fentanyl Pectin Nasal Spray in Breakthrough Cancer Pain Management During Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer.

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. 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. 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. 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.

Informations de copyright

© 2020 Pointreau et al.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

YP has participated in advisory boards for BMS, Kyowa Kirin Pharma, Merck, MSD, and Pierre Fabre Oncology, and in speakers’ bureau for BMS and MSD. He is also a paid consultant to MSD and BMS. RJB and AR have participated in advisory boards for Kyowa Kirin Pharma. GB has participated in advisory boards for BMS, Janssen and Sanofi, and he is also a paid consultant to Janssen. GJ has participated in advisory boards for Kyowa Kirin Pharma and Pierre Fabre Oncology, and in speakers’ bureau for BMS and Merck. VB and XA are employees at Kyowa Kirin Pharma. BP, GC, MB and CS have no relationships to declare. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.