A Clinical Study of 35 kDa Hyaluronan Fragment in Treatment of Pain and Discomfort Associated With Advanced Lung Cancer

Pain is generally considered the most common symptom of lung cancer. The three most common causes of pain in patients with advanced lung cancer are: 1. metastasis of lung cancer to the bones, which accounts for approximately 34 percent of lung cancer pain; 2. Presence of a Pancoast tumor, located at the top of the lung close to the brachial plexus nerves and cervical sympathetic nerves, which accounts for approximately 31 percent of lung cancer pain; 3. Spread of the cancer into the chest wall, accounting for approximately 21 percent of lung cancer pain.

Palliative care is a specialized field that aims to alleviate symptoms and maximize the patient's quality of life. Palliative care does not focus on curing the disease or prolonging life, which is the goal of other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy. However, palliative care is an important part of the patient's treatment plan and encompasses physical symptoms, psychosocial distress, spiritual distress, and caregiver distress.

The management of pain due to lung cancer may include a combination of medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, opioids (pain medications), and antidepressants. For metastases to the bone, radiation therapy and the use of bisphosphonates (drugs to help prevent bone breakdown) can alleviate pain. In addition, smoking cessation (stopping smoking) is recommended, as surveys have revealed that lung cancer patients who continue to smoke after diagnosis have a higher incidence of pain and other lung cancer complications than nonsmokers and those who quit smoking.

While pain is the most common symptom of lung cancer, other symptoms include: persistent coughing，wheezing，shortness of breath，hoarseness，weight loss，loss of appetite，fatigue or feeling weak and respiratory infections (like bronchitis or pneumonia) that don't go away or keep returning.

Hyaluronidase PH20 produced 35 kDa tissue permeable low molecular weight hyaluronan fragment by cutting high molecular hyaluronan. The previous clinical studies had shown that local injection of 35 kDa hyaluronan fragment effectively relieved inflammatory pain and neuropathic pain and promoted chronic wound healing.