Abstract
Morphine has been recognized as a highly potent analgesic agent used in cancer and non-cancer (neuropathic, surgical) pain management. Cancer patients may be prescribed morphine at different stages of the disease, during neoplastic growth and progression, during surgical resection and even in end stage palliative care. Morphine has been shown to suppress immune cell activation, functionality and cytokine secretion. While the initial infiltration of immune cells during tumor growth can be beneficial in destroying stressed tumor cells, prolonged accumulation results in a dampened immune response, enhanced angiogenesis, tumor growth and thus metastasis. The aim of this chapter is summarize the immunosuppressive effects of morphine as it relates to metastasis. We describe the effects of morphine as it pertains to tumor cell proliferation and growth, immune cell contribution to angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodeling within the tumor microenvironment.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Morphine and Metastasis |
| Publisher | Springer Netherlands |
| Pages | 31-46 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9789400756786 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9789400756779 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2013 |
Keywords
- Immunosuppression
- Macrophages
- Mast cells
- Morphine
- Myeloid suppressor cells
- Natural killer cells
- Neutrophils
- T cells
