International journal of clinical oncology
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Int. J. Clin. Oncol. · Apr 2017
Multicenter StudyPhase II trial of subcutaneous methylnaltrexone in the treatment of severe opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in cancer patients: an exploratory study.
Methylnaltrexone is a peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist that has been shown to relieve severe opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in patients with advanced disease receiving palliative care. Its efficacy remains unknown in cancer patients who are not terminally ill. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of methylnaltrexone over 48 h in cancer patients who were not terminally ill. ⋯ Methylnaltrexone may relieve severe OIC in cancer patients who are not terminally ill. A larger prospective study is justified in this population. (NCT01004393, https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01004393 ).