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. 2022 Jun 9;6(6):CD003870.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003870.pub7.

Oxycodone for cancer-related pain

Mia Schmidt-Hansen  1 , Michael I Bennett  2 , Stephanie Arnold  3 , Nathan Bromham  1 , Jennifer S Hilgart  4 , Andrew J Page  5 , Yuan Chi  6   7
Affiliations

Oxycodone for cancer-related pain

Mia Schmidt-Hansen et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: Many people with cancer experience moderate to severe pain that requires treatment with strong opioids, such as oxycodone and morphine. Strong opioids are, however, not effective for pain in all people, neither are they well tolerated by all people. The aim of this review was to assess whether oxycodone is associated with better pain relief and tolerability than other analgesic options for adults with cancer pain. This is an updated Cochrane review previously published in 2017.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and tolerability of oxycodone by any route of administration for pain in adults with cancer.

Search methods: For this update, we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and MEDLINE In-Process (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Science Citation Index, Conference Proceedings Citation Index - Science (ISI Web of Science), BIOSIS (ISI), and PsycINFO (Ovid) to November 2021. We also searched four trial registries, checked the bibliographic references of relevant studies, and contacted the authors of the included studies. We applied no language, date, or publication status restrictions.

Selection criteria: We included randomised controlled trials (parallel-group or cross-over) comparing oxycodone (any formulation or route of administration) with placebo or an active drug (including oxycodone) for cancer background pain in adults by examining pain intensity/relief, adverse events, quality of life, and participant preference.

Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently sifted the search, extracted data and assessed the included studies using standard Cochrane methodology. We meta-analysed pain intensity data using the generic inverse variance method, and pain relief and adverse events using the Mantel-Haenszel method, or summarised these data narratively along with the quality of life and participant preference data. We assessed the overall certainty of the evidence using GRADE.

Main results: For this update, we identified 19 new studies (1836 participants) for inclusion. In total, we included 42 studies which enrolled/randomised 4485 participants, with 3945 of these analysed for efficacy and 4176 for safety. The studies examined a number of different drug comparisons. Controlled-release (CR; typically taken every 12 hours) oxycodone versus immediate-release (IR; taken every 4-6 hours) oxycodone Pooled analysis of three of the four studies comparing CR oxycodone to IR oxycodone suggest that there is little to no difference between CR and IR oxycodone in pain intensity (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.1 to 0.34; n = 319; very low-certainty evidence). The evidence is very uncertain about the effect on adverse events, including constipation (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.13), drowsiness/somnolence (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.54), nausea (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.28), and vomiting (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.15) (very low-certainty evidence). There were no data available for quality of life or participant preference, however, three studies suggested that treatment acceptability may be similar between groups (low-certainty evidence). CR oxycodone versus CR morphine The majority of the 24 studies comparing CR oxycodone to CR morphine reported either pain intensity (continuous variable), pain relief (dichotomous variable), or both. Pooled analysis indicated that pain intensity may be lower (better) after treatment with CR morphine than CR oxycodone (SMD 0.14, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.27; n = 882 in 7 studies; low-certainty evidence). This SMD is equivalent to a difference of 0.27 points on the Brief Pain Inventory scale (0-10 numerical rating scale), which is not clinically significant. Pooled analyses also suggested that there may be little to no difference in the proportion of participants achieving complete or significant pain relief (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.10; n = 1249 in 13 studies; low-certainty evidence). The RR for constipation (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.86) may be lower after treatment with CR oxycodone than after CR morphine. Pooled analyses showed that, for most of the adverse events, the CIs were wide, including no effect as well as potential benefit and harm: drowsiness/somnolence (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.05), nausea (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.12), and vomiting (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.04) (low or very low-certainty evidence). No data were available for quality of life. The evidence is very uncertain about the treatment effects on treatment acceptability and participant preference. Other comparisons The remaining studies either compared oxycodone in various formulations or compared oxycodone to different alternative opioids. None found any clear superiority or inferiority of oxycodone for cancer pain, neither as an analgesic agent nor in terms of adverse event rates and treatment acceptability. The certainty of this evidence base was limited by the high or unclear risk of bias of the studies and by imprecision due to low or very low event rates or participant numbers for many outcomes.

Authors' conclusions: The conclusions have not changed since the previous version of this review (in 2017). We found low-certainty evidence that there may be little to no difference in pain intensity, pain relief and adverse events between oxycodone and other strong opioids including morphine, commonly considered the gold standard strong opioid. Although we identified a benefit for pain relief in favour of CR morphine over CR oxycodone, this was not clinically significant and did not persist following sensitivity analysis and so we do not consider this important. However, we found that constipation and hallucinations occurred less often with CR oxycodone than with CR morphine; but the certainty of this evidence was either very low or the finding did not persist following sensitivity analysis, so these findings should be treated with utmost caution. Our conclusions are consistent with other reviews and suggest that, while the reliability of the evidence base is low, given the absence of important differences within this analysis, it seems unlikely that larger head-to-head studies of oxycodone versus morphine are justified, although well-designed trials comparing oxycodone to other strong analgesics may well be useful. For clinical purposes, oxycodone or morphine can be used as first-line oral opioids for relief of cancer pain in adults.

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Conflict of interest statement

MSH: none known.

MIB: none known.

SA: none known.

NB: none known.

JSH: none known. JSH is a Network Associate Editor for the Cochrane MOSS Network. PaPaS CRG is a member of the MOSS Network. JSH had no involvement in the editorial process and/or management of the peer review of this manuscript.

AJP: none known. AJP is a Palliative Care Specialty Trainee (ST5), Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

YC: none known.

Figures

1
1
Study flow diagram
2
2
Risk of bias summary: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item for each included study
3
3
Risk of bias graph: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item presented as percentages across all included studies
4
4
Forest plot of comparison: 1 Pain, outcome: 1.1 Pain intensity and pain relief (continuous)
5
5
Forest plot of comparison: 1 Pain, outcome: 1.2 Complete and/or significant pain relief (categorical)
6
6
Forest plot of comparison: 2 Adverse events, outcome: 2.7 Constipation
7
7
Forest plot of comparison: 2 Adverse events, outcome: 2.10 Drowsiness/somnolence
8
8
Forest plot of comparison: 2 Adverse events, outcome: 2.18 Nausea
9
9
Forest plot of comparison: 2 Adverse events, outcome: 2.23 Vomiting
10
10
Forest plot of comparison: 2 Adverse events, outcome: 2.14 Hallucinations
1.1
1.1. Analysis
Comparison 1: Pain, Outcome 1: Pain intensity and pain relief (continuous)
1.2
1.2. Analysis
Comparison 1: Pain, Outcome 2: Complete and/or significant pain relief (categorical)
2.1
2.1. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 1: Any adverse events
2.2
2.2. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 2: Severe adverse events
2.3
2.3. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 3: Serious adverse events, including death
2.4
2.4. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 4: Appetite loss/anorexia
2.5
2.5. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 5: Asthenia
2.6
2.6. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 6: Confusion
2.7
2.7. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 7: Constipation
2.8
2.8. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 8: Diarrhoea
2.9
2.9. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 9: Dizziness/lightheadedness
2.10
2.10. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 10: Drowsiness/somnolence
2.11
2.11. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 11: Dry mouth
2.12
2.12. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 12: Dysuria/uroschesis
2.13
2.13. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 13: Fever
2.14
2.14. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 14: Hallucinations
2.15
2.15. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 15: Headache
2.16
2.16. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 16: Insomnia
2.17
2.17. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 17: Insomnia & lethargy
2.18
2.18. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 18: Nausea
2.19
2.19. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 19: Nausea & vomiting
2.20
2.20. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 20: Nervousness
2.21
2.21. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 21: Pruritus
2.22
2.22. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 22: Sweating
2.23
2.23. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 23: Vomiting
2.24
2.24. Analysis
Comparison 2: Adverse events, Outcome 24: Discontinuation due to adverse events
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Update of

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    1. Garassino MC, Febbraro A, Iorno V, Carbone A, Spagnoletti I, Isa L, et al. Randomized phase ii trial (NCT00637975) evaluating activity and toxicity of fixed dose of oxycodone and increasing dose of pregabalin versus increasing dose of oxycodone and fixed dose of pregabalin for the treatment of oncological neuropathic pain (neuropain-01). Annals of Oncology 2010;21:viii363.
Garassino 2011 {published data only}
    1. Garassino MC, Bianchi A, Febbraro A, Spagnoletti I, Iorno V, Bramati A, et al. Final results of a randomized phase II trial (NCT00637975) evaluating activity and toxicity of fixed-dose oxycodone and increasing dose of pregabalin versus increasing dose of oxycodone and fixed-dose pregabalin for the treatment of oncologic neuropathic pain (NEUROPAIN-01). Journal of Clinical Oncology (ASCO Annual Meeting) 2011;29(15 Suppl 1):9028.
Garassino 2013 {published data only}
    1. Garassino MC, Piva S, Verde N, Spagnoletti I, Iorno V, Carbone C, et al. Randomised phase II trial (NCT00637975) evaluating activity and toxicity of two different escalating strategies for pregabalin and oxycodone combination therapy for neuropathic pain in cancer patients. PlOS One 2013;8(4):e59981. - PMC - PubMed
George 2003 {published data only}
    1. George B, Douard MC, Dubreuil ML. Oxycodone: alternative therapy in the management of chronic cancer pain [L'oxycodone: alternative therapeutique dans la prise en charge de la douleur chronique d'origine cancereuse]. Cahiers d'Anesthesiologie 2003;51:HS7-12.
Guo 2017 {published data only}
    1. Guo J, Lu J, Liu B, Xing L, Xiao J, Wang Z. Effect of hydrochloride oxycodone controlled-release tablets with dose titration for moderate or severe cancer pain [中重度癌痛盐酸羟考酮缓释片治疗 剂量调整临床研究]. Chinese Journal of Cancer Prevention Treatment 2017;24(18):1319-22.
Hanks 2002 {published data only}
    1. Hanks G. Morphine and other opioids in the treatment of cancer pain? International Journal of Cancer 2002;13(Suppl):5.
Hongmei 2013 {published data only}
    1. Hongmei X, Jianwen S. Compound matrine injection in liver carcinoma pain: a clinical study. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2013;28:790.
Huang 2015 {published data only}
    1. Huang MQ, Li CF, Kong FL, Gan XQ, Chu XF. Clinical efficacy of oxycodone hydrochloride sustained release tablets in the treatment of pain in advanced cancer. Anhui Medical and Pharmaceutical Journal 2015;19(10):2022-3.
Igarashi 2015 {published data only}
    1. Igarashi T, Abe K, Miura T, Kinoshita H. Oxycodone frequently induced nausea and vomiting in oxycodone-naive patients with hepatic dysfunction. Journal of Palliative Medicine 2015;18(5):399. - PubMed
Katz 2008 {published data only}
    1. Katz MH, Kotabe S. Decreasing use of controlled-release oxycodone - response. Medical Care 2008;46(9):1002. - PubMed
Kim 2015 {published data only}
    1. Kim HJ, Kim YS, Park SH. Opioid rotation versus combination for cancer patients with chronic uncontrolled pain: a randomized study. BMC Palliative Care 2015;14:41. - PMC - PubMed
King 2011 {published data only}
    1. King SJ, Reid C, Forbes K, Hanks G. A systematic review of oxycodone in the management of cancer pain. Palliative Medicine 2011;25:454-70. - PubMed
Koyyalagunta 2012 {published data only}
    1. Koyyalagunta D, Bruera E, Solanki DR, Nouri KH, Burton AW, Toro MP, et al. A systematic review of randomized trials on the effectiveness of opioids for cancer pain. Pain Physician 2012;15(3 Suppl):ES39-58. - PubMed
Kummer 2011 {published data only}
    1. Kummer O, Hammann F, Moser C, Schaller O, Drewe J, Krahenbuhl S. Effect of the inhibition of CYP3A4 or CYP2D6 on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oxycodone. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2011;67(1):63-71. - PubMed
LeBon 2009 {published data only}
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Leppert 2011 {published data only}
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Li 2008 {published data only}
    1. Li RC, He BS. Therapeutic outcome of Tylox for cancer pain in malignant tumor patients with bone metastasis. Chinese Journal of New Drugs 2008;17(18):1619-21.
Li 2010 {published data only}
    1. Li XM, Liu DQ, Wu HY, Yang C, Yang L. Controlled-release oxycodone alone or combined with gabapentin for management of malignant neuropathic pain. Chinese Journal of Cancer Research 2010;22(1):80-6.
Liang 2021 {published data only}
    1. Liang J, Chen L, Yang S, Zhang H, Li L, Chen Z, et al. A 12-hour rapid titration method for cancer pain: a randomized, controlled, open-label study. Annals of Palliative Medicine 2021;10(1):88-96. - PubMed
    1. The feasibility study of sustained-release opioid used for quick analgesia. www.who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=ChiCTR-TIR-17012925 (date first received 17 October 2017).
Lin 2013 {published data only}
    1. Lin XH, Xu JP, Mai YZ. The efficacy and safety observation of oxycodone retard tablets in the treatment of moderately severe pain. China Medicine and Pharmacy 2013;3(9):78-9.
Ma 2016 {published data only}
    1. Ma H, Liu Y, Huang L, Zeng XT, Jin SH, Yue GJ, et al. The adverse events of oxycodone in cancer-related pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Medicine (Hagerstown) 2016;95(15):e3341. - PMC - PubMed
Marineo 2012 {published data only}
    1. Marineo G, Iorno V, Gandini C, Moschini V, Smith TJ. Scrambler therapy may relieve chronic neuropathic pain more effectively than guideline-based drug management: results of a pilot, randomized, controlled trial. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 2012;43(1):87-95. - PubMed
Meng 2008 {published data only}
    1. Meng XL, Tang YL, Zhang JH. Effectiveness observation on oxycodone hydrochloride controlled-release tablets for cancer pain [盐酸羟考酮控释片用于癌性疼痛疗效观察]. Modern Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine 2008;17(2):199-200.
Moertel 1974 {published data only}
    1. Moertel CG, Ahmann DL, Taylor WF, Schwartau N. Relief of pain by oral medications. A controlled evaluation of analgesic combinations. Journal of the American Medical Association 1974;229(1):55-9. - PubMed
Moksnes 2012 {published data only}
    1. Moksnes K, Kaasa S, Paulsen Ã, Rosland JH, Spigset O, Dale O. Serum concentrations of opioids when comparing two switching strategies to methadone for cancer pain. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2012;8:1147-56. - PubMed
Mosley 2018 {published data only}
    1. Mosley SA, Hicks JK, Portman DG, Donovan KA, Gopalan P, Schmit J, et al. Design and rational for the precision medicine guided treatment for cancer pain pragmatic clinical trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials 2018;68:7-13. - PMC - PubMed
Nadstawek 2008 {published data only}
    1. Nadstawek J, Leyendecker P, Hopp M, Ruckes C, Wirz S, Fleischer W, et al. Patient assessment of a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of severe, chronic pain. International Journal of Clinical Practice 2008;62(8):1159-67. - PMC - PubMed
Nalamachu 2013 {published data only}
    1. Nalamachu S, Rauck R, Dillaha L, Parikh N. Lack of correlation between the dose of fentanyl sublingual spray for breakthrough cancer pain and the dose of around-the-clock opioid for persistent pain. Journal of Pain 2013;1:S74. - PubMed
NCT01859715 {published data only}
    1. NCT01859715. Emergency department (ED) drug interaction in emergency department patients. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/results/NCT01859715 Date first received: 1 May 2013.
NCT01885182 {published data only}
    1. NCT01885182. Targin cancer pain. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01885182 Date first received: 19 June 2013.
Nunez Olarte 2008 {published data only}
    1. Nunez Olarte JM. Oxycodone and the challenge of neuropathic cancer pain: a review. Oncology 2008;74:83-90. - PubMed
Oosten 2015 {published data only}
    1. Oosten AW, Oldenmenger WH, Mathijssen RH, Van der Rijt CC. A systematic review of prospective studies reporting adverse events of commonly used opioids for cancer-related pain: a call for the use of standardized outcome measures. Journal of Pain 2015;16(10):935-46. - PubMed
Pan 2019 {published data only}
    1. Pan H, Shen P, Shu Q, Lu L, Qian S, Zhou Y, et al. Efficacy and safety of sustained-release oxycodone compared with immediate-release morphine for pain titration in cancer patients: a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial (SOCIAL). Medicine 2019;98(24):e15505. - PMC - PubMed
Pang 2009 {published data only}
    1. Pang J, Jie BJ, Li YP. Efficacy of oxycodone-acetominophen by different administrations in controlling moderate to severe cancer pain and break-out pain. Chinese Journal of New Drugs 2009;18(18):1767-70, 1776.
Passik 2014 {published data only}
    1. Passik SD, Narayana A, Yang R. Aberrant drug-related behavior observed during a 12-week open-label extension period of a study involving patients taking chronic opioid therapy for persistent pain and fentanyl buccal tablet or traditional short-acting opioid for breakthrough pain. Pain Medicine 2014;15(8):1365-72. - PubMed
Reid 2006 {published data only}
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Rentz 2009 {published data only}
    1. Rentz AM, Yu R, Muller-Lissner S, Leyendecker P. Validation of the Bowel Function Index to detect clinically meaningful changes in opioid-induced constipation. Journal of Medical Economics 2009;12(4):371-83. - PubMed
Riley 2008 {published data only}
    1. Riley J, Eisenberg E, Müller-Schwefe G, Drewes AM, Arendt-Nielsen L. Oxycodone: a review of its use in the management of pain. Current Medical Research and Opinion 2008;24(1):175-92. - PubMed
Shi 2008 {published data only}
    1. Shi L, Xiong HH, Yang L, Yu SY. Analgesic effect of oxycodone-acetaminophen tablets in patients with cervical cancer. Chinese Journal of New Drugs 2008;17:1884-5.
Shi 2018 {published data only}
    1. Shi Z, Lou G, Gu C, Song Z, Shao L, Zhang Y. Efficacy and safety of titration with controlled-release oxycodone versus immediate-release morphine in patients with moderate cancer pain. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine 2018;11(3):2595-602.
Sima 2010a {published data only}
    1. Sima L, Wu X, Fang W, Li F. Oxycodone/acetaminophen addition to constant opioids in metastatic bone pain: a randomized, double-blinded, controlled, multicenter trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2010;28(15 Suppl 1):e19691.
Sima 2010b {published data only}
    1. Sima L, Wu X, Fang W. Oxycodone/acetaminophen combination tablet in patients with metastatic bone pain: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Annals of Oncology 2010;21:378.
Sima 2012 {published data only}
    1. Sima L, Fang WX, Wu XM, Li F. Efficacy of oxycodone/paracetamol for patients with bone-cancer pain: a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics 2012;37(1):27-31. - PubMed
Stambaugh 1980a {published data only}
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Stambaugh 1980b {published data only}
    1. Stambaugh JEJ. Analgesic equivalence of Tylox® and Percodan®: double-blind crossover study of patients with pain from malignancy. Current Therapeutic Research, Clinical and Experimental 1980;27(2):302-8.
Stambaugh 1981 {published data only}
    1. Stambaugh JE Jr, Sarajian C. Analgesic efficacy of zomepirac sodium in patients with pain due to cancer. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 1981;21:501-7. - PubMed
Stambaugh 1985 {published data only}
    1. Stambaugh JEJ, McAdams J. A double-blind comparison of ibuprofen vs. placebo in reducing oxycodone-acetaminophen dosage in chronic cancer pain. Clinical Research 1985;33:458A.
Stambaugh 1987 {published data only}
    1. Stambaugh JE, McAdams J. Comparison of the efficacy and safety of oral xorphanol, acetaminophen/oxycodone and placebo in chronic cancer pain. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 1987;41:229.
Stambaugh 1990 {published data only}
    1. Stambaugh J, Drew J, Johnson J. Comparison of flurbiprofen (Ansaid), oxycodone APAP and placebo in cancer pain, after single and repeat oral doses. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 1990;47:187.
Stambaugh 1991 {published data only}
    1. Stambaugh JE. Multidose analgesic studies in chronic pain models. Advances in Pain Research and Therapy 1991;18:151-63.
Taeron 2002 {published data only}
    1. Taeron C. Extended release oxycodone. An oral opioid analgesic for cancer patients with chronic pain. Revue De L'Infirmiere 2002;85:47-9. - PubMed
Tanaka 2017 {published data only}
    1. Tanaka R, Ishikawa H, Sato T, Shino M, Matsumoto T, Mori K, et al. Incidence of delirium among patients having cancer injected with different opioids for the first time. American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine 2017;34(6):572-6. - PubMed
Wallace 2013 {published data only}
    1. Wallace E, Twomey M, Victory R, O'Reilly M. Intravesical baclofen, bupivacaine, and oxycodone for the relief of bladder spasm. Journal of Palliative Care 2013;29(1):49-51. - PubMed
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    1. Watanabe S, Pereira J, Tarumi Y, Hanson J, Bruera E. A randomized double-blind crossover comparison of continuous and intermittent subcutaneous administration of opioid for cancer pain. Journal of Palliative Medicine 2008;11(4):570-4. - PubMed
Watanabe 2020 {published data only}
    1. Wanatabe K. Analysis of symptoms relieved in addition to pain after administration of oxycodone or morphine to patients with advanced cancer living at home. Gan to Kagaku Ryoho [Japanese Journal of Cancer & Chemotherapy] 2020;47(5):797-800.. - PubMed
Wei 2016 {published data only}
    1. Wei YG, Zhou CP. The curative effect observation of acupoint catgut embedding to treat lung cancer pain. Journal of Preventive Medicine of Chinese People's Liberation Army [jie fang jun yu fang yi xue za zhi] 2016;34(Suppl 1):297-8.
Wu 2009 {published data only}
    1. Wu H, Ouyang QC, Liu LP, Wang PH. Safety and efficacy of oxycodone/acetaminophen in treatment of moderate and advanced cancer pain. Chinese Journal of Cancer Prevention and Treatment 2009;18:1432-4.
Wu 2015 {published data only}
    1. Wu H, Chen Y, Shen Q, Cao X, Lu L. Application of controlled-release oxycodone and oral immediate-release morphine in the titration treatment of cancer pain [羟考酮缓释片联合吗啡片在癌痛滴定治疗中的应用]. Anti-Tumor Pharmacy 2015;2:112-5.
Xiong 2008 {published data only}
    1. Xiong J, Liang C, Wu X, Zhao YX, Fu L, Zhou YF. Efficacy and safety of oxycodone-acetaminophen tablet in 142 patients with different types of moderate and advanced cancer pain. Chinese Journal of New Drugs 2008;21:1877-9, 1900.
Xu 2008 {published data only}
    1. Xu LH, Quan SC, Wu LB. Treatment beginning with minute dose oxycontin with advanced stage cancer pain. Modern Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine 2008;6:859-60.
Yoshimoto 2018 {published data only}
    1. Yoshimoto T, Ryu E, Tomiyasu S, Hojo M, Kokubun H, Matoba M. Efficacy and safety of oxycodone injection for relieving cancer pain: a study in Japan consisting of two open trials for intravenous and subcutaneous administration. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin 2018;41(6):850-7. - PubMed
Zhu 2019 {published data only}
    1. Zhu M, Liang X, Gu Z, Zhang L, Xie G, Yu S, et al. Multicenter trial of titration of morphine versus oxycodone for cancer pain. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine 2019;12(6):7317-26.
Zou 2009 {published data only}
    1. Zou J, Wang Q, Liu L. Efficacy of oxycodone-acetaminophen as an adjuvant of opioid analgesics for cancer pain. Chinese Journal of New Drugs 2009;18(10):923-4.

References to studies awaiting assessment

Aurilio 2009 {published data only}
    1. Aurilio C, Sansone P, Pace MC, Passavanti MB, Romano SV, Pota V. Evaluation of efficacy and safety of prolonged-release oxycodone at different dosages for the treatment of severe chronic pain. Pain Practice 2009;9:103.
JapicCTI‐090789/090/091 {unpublished data only}
    1. JapicCTI-090789/090/091. An open-label study of intravenous (i.v.) S-811717 (oxycodone hydrochloride solution for injection) in patients with cancer pain. clinicaltrials.jp/user/showCteDetailE.jsp?japicId=JapicCTI-090789 (date first received 30 June 2009).
JapicCTI‐111388 {unpublished data only}
    1. CTI-111388. TK-641 phase 3 study. clinicaltrials.jp/user/showCteDetailE.jsp?japicId=JapicCTI-111388 (date first received 14 January 2011).
NCT00378937 {unpublished data only}
    1. NCT00378937. Oxycodone or standard pain therapy in treating patients with cancer pain. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00378937?=NCT00378937&draw=2&rank1 (date first received 21 September 2006).
NCT00726830 {unpublished data only}
    1. NCT00726830. Methadone, morphine, or oxycodone in treating pain in patients with cancer. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00726830?term=NCT00726830&draw=2&... (date first received 1 August 2008).
NCT01493635 {unpublished data only}
    1. NCT01493635. Two step versus the standard three step approach of the WHO analgesic ladder for cancer pain relief. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01493635?term=NCT01493635&draw=2&... (date first received 16 December 2011).
NCT03439904 {published data only}
    1. NCT03439904. Individualized pharmaceutical-care in outpatients with cancer pain. clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT03439904 (date first received 20 February 2018).
Song 2009 {published data only}
    1. Song JF, Zhao YL, Zhou HM, Wang HJ, Li KY. Efficacies of oxycodone and morphine sulfate sustained-release tablets in treating moderate and severe cancer pain. Chinese Journal of New Drugs 2009;18(4):337-9.
Zhang 2016 {published data only}
    1. Zhang Y. Efficacy of oxycotin in the treatment of severe cancer pain by rectal administration. Cancer Nursing 2016;39(6 (Suppl 1)):S73.

References to ongoing studies

2008‐002273‐12 {unpublished data only}
    1. 2008-002273-12. Long term opioid administration in oncologic chronic pain: open label, prospective study on efficacy, safety and pharmacogenetic factors. clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=2008-002273-12 (date first received 23 June 2008).
2009‐013118‐28 {unpublished data only}
    1. 2009-013118-28. The buccal fentanyl in cancer pain management measure [Bukkaalinen fentanyyli syöpäpotilaiden toimenpidekivun hoidossa]. clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=2009-013118-28 (date first received 8 June 2009).
ChiCTR1800014268 {unpublished data only}
    1. ChiCTR1800014268. Effecty [sic] and efficacy of hydrochloride oxycodone controlled-release tablets with dose titration at 12h for cancer pain. who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=ChiCTR1800014268 (date first received 2 January 2018).
ChiCTR1800017461 {unpublished data only}
    1. ChiCTR1800017461. Efficacy and safety of different titration regimens for oxycodone hydrochloride sustained-release tablet in the treatment of cancer pain. who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=ChiCTR1800017461 (date first received 31 July 2018).
ChiCTR1900022566 {unpublished data only}
    1. ChiCTR1900022566. Comparison of oxycodone versus morphine in the treatment of patients with severe cancer pain: a randomized controlled trial. who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=ChiCTR1900022566 (date first received 16 April 2019).
ChiCTR2000037845 {published data only}
    1. ChiCTR2000037845. A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial of hydromorphone injection PCA versus oxycodone sustained release tablets in the treatment of moderate and severe cancer pain. chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=60437 (date first received 3 September 2020).
ChiCTR2100042972 {published data only}
    1. ChiCTR2100042972. Comparative study of sufentanil self-controlled analgesic pump and oxycodone hydrochloride controlled-release tablets in the treatment of moderate and severe cancer pain. chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=64416 (date first received 2 February 2021).
Elsayem 2010 {unpublished data only}
    1. Elsayem AF, Bain KT, Palmer JL, Bearden J, Fisch M. A randomized comparison of oral methadone as a "first-switch" opioid versus opioid switching between sustained-release morphine and oxycodone for oncology outpatients with pain management problems. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2010;28(15 Suppl 1):TPS324.
IRCT20201202049575N1 {published data only}
    1. IRCT20201202049575N1. Comparison of the effect of morphine and oxycodone in relieving pain in patients with bone metastasis pain. google.com/search?q=IRCT20201202049575N1&rlz=1C1GCEB_enGB999GB1000&a... (date first received 9 December 2020).
Matsouka 2017 {published data only}
    1. Matsuoka H, Tsurutani J, Chiba Y, Fujita Y, Terashima M, Yoshida T, et al. Selection of opioids for cancer-related pain using a biomarker: a randomized, multi-institutional, open-label trial (RELIEF study). BMC Cancer 2017;17:6. - PMC - PubMed
NCT00916890 {unpublished data only}
    1. NCT00916890. Chronic administration of opioids in cancer chronic pain: an open prospective study on efficacy, safety and pharmacogenetic factors influence. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00916890?term=NCT00916890&draw=2&... (date first received 10 June 2009).
NCT01165281 {unpublished data only}
    1. NCT01165281. A safety and efficacy study of JNS024 Extended Release (ER) in Japanese and Korean patients with chronic malignant tumor-related cancer pain. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01165281?term=NCT01165281&draw=2&... (date first received 19 July 2010).
NCT01675622 {unpublished data only}
    1. NCT01675622. Immediate-release oxycodone capsules study in cancer pain. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01675622?term=NCT01675622&draw=2&... (date first received 30 August 2012).
NCT02084355 {unpublished data only}
    1. NCT02084355. Study of opioid rotation versus opioid escalation in patients with moderate to severe cancer pain. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02084355 (date first received 5 March 2014).
NCT03024515 {unpublished data only}
    1. NCT03024515. A pilot randomized open-labelled study comparing a structured titration method of immediate- and sustained-release oxycodone versus opioids titration of investigators' choice in advanced cancer patients in Hong Kong. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03024515?term=NCT03024515&draw=2&... (date first received 19 January 2017).
NCT03176199 {unpublished data only}
    1. NCT03176199. A study to compare the titration efficacy and safety of control-released oxycodone and immediate-released oxycodone in patients with moderate to severe cancer pain. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03176199 (date first received 5 June 2017).
NCT04808531 {published data only}
    1. NCT04808531. NanaBis™ an oro-buccal administered delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (d9-THC) & cannabidiol (CBD) medicine for the management of bone pain from metastatic cancers. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04808531?term=NCT04808531&draw=2&... (date first received 22 March 2021).
UMIN000011756 {unpublished data only}
    1. UMIN000011756. Randomized study of fentanyl citrate versus oxycodone hydrochloride hydrate in patients with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer. upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr.cgi?function=brows&action=bro... (date first registered 13 September 2013).

Additional references

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