Kathy Boltz, PhD

Larry Dillaha, MD, of INSYS Therapeutics, Phoenix, AZ, and colleagues reported at PAINWeek 2012 that fentanyl sublingual spray markedly improved satisfaction with symptom relief among patients with breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP).

At PAINWeek 2012, Francis Nahm, MD, of Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea, and colleagues presented two cases studies where lumbar sympathetic block with botulinum toxin type B provided prolonged sympathetic pain blocking in patients with complex regional pain syndrome.

John Thipphawong, MD, from Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Fremont, CA, and colleagues reported at PAINWeek 2012 that the clearance of OROS hydromorphone extended-release (ER) is predictable, stable over time, and not markedly impacted by most demographic characteristics in patients with chronic osteoarthritis pain.

Emilee Connors, PhD, of MAP Pharmaceuticals, Mountain View, CA, and colleagues reported at PAINWeek 2012 that the inhaled, investigational drug MAP0004 provided consistent and similar response rates for episodic migraine attacks even after repeated administration.

Vincent Brett, MS, PharmD, of Janssen Scientific Affairs, Raritan, NJ, and colleagues presented a post-hoc analysis of pooled safety data at PAINWeek 2012, and found that adding tapentadol to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) resulted in no clinically relevant adverse drug interactions.

Daniel B. Carr, MD, of Tufts University School of Medicine delivered a keynote address titled “Have We Been Backwards, Upside Down, or Both?” at the opening session for PAINWeek 2012. He advocated teaching about pain by emphasizing the reality of pain as population-based, inter-subjective, and with an important moral dimension, rather than beginning by focusing on nociceptors and the biochemistry of pain. This perspective will allow students to face difficult interactions in the clinic.