Find recruiting clinical trials for cancer pain in the UK — including neuromodulation devices, targeted drug delivery systems, cannabinoid-based therapies, and multimodal pain management approaches. See your treatment pathway and where trials fit in.
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Answer a few questions about your condition and we'll match you to the most relevant clinical trials.
See where clinical trials fit into your treatment journey
Pain controlled with simple analgesics
Standard: Paracetamol, NSAIDs, physiotherapy, complementary therapies
Pain requiring stronger medication
Standard: Codeine, tramadol, gabapentin/pregabalin for nerve pain, corticosteroids
Significant pain needing potent analgesics
Standard: Morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone, breakthrough pain management
Pain not controlled by standard approaches
Standard: Nerve blocks, epidural infusions, intrathecal pumps, neuromodulation, palliative radiotherapy
Spinal cord stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation devices that interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain. Trials are testing new high-frequency and burst stimulation patterns specifically for cancer-related nerve pain.
Intrathecal drug delivery systems that deliver pain medication directly to the spinal fluid, requiring a fraction of the oral dose and reducing systemic side effects like sedation and constipation.
Clinical trials testing pharmaceutical-grade cannabis-based medicines (nabilone, nabiximols, and novel synthetic cannabinoids) for cancer pain, particularly neuropathic cancer pain that responds poorly to opioids.
Trials combining pharmacological treatments with acupuncture, mindfulness-based stress reduction, virtual reality therapy, and exercise programmes to improve pain control and quality of life.
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Yes. Most cancer pain trials are designed to work alongside your existing cancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy). Pain management trials typically focus on improving comfort and quality of life rather than treating the cancer itself.
A small pump surgically placed under the skin delivers pain medication directly into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. This provides powerful pain relief at a fraction of the oral dose, reducing side effects like drowsiness and constipation.
Yes. Several UK trials are testing pharmaceutical cannabinoids for cancer-related neuropathic pain. These use standardised, regulated medicines — not recreational cannabis. Results so far suggest benefit for nerve pain that does not respond well to opioids.
Trial participation is voluntary and you can withdraw at any time. If the treatment is not helping, your trial team will discuss alternative options and ensure you return to standard care without any gap in pain management.
Use our search above to find trials matching your condition and location. Review eligibility criteria carefully.
Talk to your GP or specialist about any trials you are interested in. They can help determine if a trial is appropriate for you.
Reach out to the trial team directly using the contact information on the ClinicalTrials.gov listing.
If you meet the criteria and decide to participate, you will go through informed consent and begin the trial process.