New therapy from cactus-like plant reduces pain in advanced cancer patients
Scientists at the National Institutes of Health have developed a new therapy based on a natural substance from a cactus-like plant that can significantly reduce pain in people with advanced cancer. In a clinical trial, a single injection of resiniferatoxin (RTX) reduced the most severe pain by 38% and reduced the need for opioids by more than half. The discovery offers hope for a new, safe and effective treatment for cancer pain.
Resiniferatoxin (RTX) could be a breakthrough in treating intractable cancer pain, according to new research from NIH scientists. RTX is a molecule derived from the Euphorbia resinifera plant, which resembles a cactus and has been known for its irritating properties for thousands of years.
A new clinical trial used a single injection of RTX into the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with advanced cancer. The effects were rapid and visible—patients’ pain was reduced by 38% and their need for opioids was reduced by 57%.
RTX works very precisely – it blocks only those nerves that are responsible for transmitting pain and heat, leaving other senses, such as touch or motor functions, intact.
"What makes this unique from all the other things that are out there is that it's so highly selective," said Dr. Andrew Mannes, lead author of the study.
Importantly, RTX is not addictive and does not cause a high like opioids.
Scientists emphasize that RTX can be used not only for cancer pain, but also for other types of chronic pain, for example after nerve damage or trigeminal neuralgia.
- Targeting specific nerves brings many pain disorders into the scope of RTX and allows doctors to tailor treatment to the patient's pain problem, explains NIH Prof. Michael Iadarola.
The next step is larger clinical trials to gain FDA approval of RTX and introduce this therapy into widespread use.
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