Inhaled Morphine Compared With Morphine By Mouth in Treating Cancer Patients With Breakthrough Pain

OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the change in pain intensity during the 15 minutes immediately following aerosolized vs oral morphine sulfate in cancer patients with opioid-sensitive breakthrough pain. II. Compare preference for continued use of these regimens in these patients. III. Compare the pain relief in patients treated with these regimens. IV. Evaluate satisfaction of patients treated with these regimens.

OUTLINE: This is a randomized, open-label, crossover, multicenter study. Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms. Patients undergo titration of aerosolized morphine sulfate over days 1-7 to determine the optimal baseline and breakthrough dosage. Arm I: Patients receive aerosolized morphine sulfate as needed for breakthrough pain, up to 4 inhalations every 15 minutes, on days 8-14. Patients crossover to oral morphine sulfate as needed for breakthrough pain on days 15-21. Arm II: Patients receive oral morphine sulfate as needed for breakthrough pain on days 8-14. Patients crossover to aerosolized morphine sulfate as needed for breakthrough pain, up to 4 inhalations every 15 minutes, on days 15-21. Patients may continue treatment with either oral or aerosolized morphine sulfate for an additional 60 days beginning on day 22. Quality of life is assessed weekly for 3 weeks. Patients complete a pain management satisfaction survey at the end of each therapy crossover week.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: Approximately 50 patients will be accrued for this study.