Case Study: Finding Opioid‑Sparing Trials for Breakthrough Cancer Pain

When Maria's son called at 2 a.m. because her breakthrough cancer pain spiked, the family had one instinct: reach for opioids. Maria had been on a low-dose opioid for weeks, but those sudden, burning surges felt different — and frightening. What she needed was fast relief without increasing long-term opioid exposure.

Finding a different path

That night began a six-week search that led the family from forums to their oncologist to a clinical trial listing. They discovered an opioid-sparing trial testing a rapid-onset non-opioid agent and telepalliative protocols for remote symptom checks. Many patients find clinical trials through dedicated platforms that match their condition with relevant studies, and this connection made a difficult pathway suddenly practical.

Breaking down the science

Opioid-sparing approaches can mean different things: targeted nerve blocks, non-opioid systemic agents, neuromodulation, or short-acting alternative formulations. The trial Maria joined combined a rapid-onset non-opioid medication with telepalliative follow-ups so clinicians could titrate doses without extra clinic visits. Explaining this in plain language helped the family trust the plan: the study aimed to treat sudden flares quickly while minimizing overall opioid exposure. Recent analyses estimate that 40–70% of people with cancer experience breakthrough cancer pain, yet fewer than 5% of adults with cancer enroll in clinical trials. Telepalliative care visits surged during the pandemic—one report found a more than 200% increase in virtual palliative consultations—showing how remote care and research can scale together.

Case example: a practical trial experience

When Maria enrolled, a pharmaceutical project manager coordinated study logistics, ensuring study medications arrived on time and that remote safety checks fit the family’s schedule. The study team used a trial discovery tool to connect Maria quickly with the site that could handle same-day televisits. Over four weeks, telepalliative check-ins helped adjust doses and taught the family how to manage episodes at home.

"Remote visits were a lifeline — we learned when to use the rescue dose and when to call," Maria said.

A second brief example: Raj, a retired teacher, joined a small neuromodulation feasibility study. His device reduced flare frequency, and symptom navigation for serious illness pain was integrated into each visit so he and his caregiver had clear next steps between appointments.

Telepalliative care visits: what to expect

Telepalliative care visits usually start with symptom review, vital signs if available, medication checks, and shared decision-making. Expect focused questions about the timing, triggers, and intensity of breakthrough pain, plus guidance on side effects and home safety. These visits often include a brief functional assessment and a clear plan for escalation.

• Checklist: How to find opioid-sparing pain trials and prepare
• Gather current meds, allergies, and recent pain examples (timing, triggers, relief)
• Ask your team about telepalliative care visits: technology needs and scheduling
• Look for trials on reputable discovery platforms that list eligibility and contact info
• Clarify transportation or home delivery of study medications
• Set up a symptom navigation plan: who to call, when to seek urgent care

Pharmaceutical project managers and research teams increasingly design trials with home-based components and caregiver training to reduce burden. For families like Maria’s, a mix of clear education, symptom navigation for serious illness pain, and modern trial discovery tools can turn a desperate night into a managed plan. If you or a loved one are exploring options, ask your care team about opioid-sparing pain trials, what telepalliative care visits: what to expect, and how platforms can help connect you to studies that match your needs.