Needle in the spine: new hope for cancer pain?
NCT ID NCT04119037
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Sep 17, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study tests a procedure called cordotomy, where a needle is guided into the spinal cord to block pain signals. It's for people with advanced cancer who have severe pain on one side of the body below the shoulder. The goal is to see if it reduces pain better than a fake procedure.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- cordotomy (a spinal cord procedure)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new way to ease severe cancer pain that doesn't respond to standard treatments.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early study with only 27 people. The procedure carries risks like bleeding or infection, and it's not yet proven to be effective.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
27 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Sep 2019
- Expected to finish
-
Dec 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Ability to provide informed consent * Has undergone 3 palliative care evaluations * Pain intensity \>= 4 on a 0-10 numerical scale * Unilateral pain due to cancer below the shoulder level (arm, trunk, hip, leg) Exclusion Criteria: * Uncorrectable coagulopathy * Large intracranial mass * Inability to complete assessment forms * Life expectancy \< 1 month * Contraindication to intravenous sedation * Morphine allergy
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Advanced malignant neoplasm are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
M D Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Experimental cancer drug AUR106 tested in humans for first time
- Can a simple sheet of paper improve cancer care conversations?
- New drug shows promise for rare joint tumor in early trial
- Electric field device takes on liver tumors in early trial
- New hope for tough leukemia: experimental drug targets genetic flaw
- Can a common antipsychotic combo calm delirium in dying cancer patients?