Present research suggests that the A allele in COMT polymorphism could be a marker of opioid sensitivity in paediatric cancer patients (STOP Pain), as well as in adults (Systematic Review), indicating that the polymorphism impact could be not age-dependent in the cancer pain context.
Genetic variation in the COMT gene has been implicated in variable response to various experimental painful stimuli, variable susceptibility to develop common pain conditions, as well as the variable need for opioids in the treatment of cancer pain.
Based on this information we analyzed the influence from the COMTVal158Met polymorphism on the efficacy of morphine in a cohort of patients suffering from cancer pain.