Efficacy and safety of two methadone titration methods for the treatment of cancer-related pain: The EQUIMETH2 trial (methadone for cancer-related pain)

Abstract Context In the European Association for Palliative Care recommendations for cancer pain management, there was no consensus regarding the indications, titration or monitoring of methadone. Objectives This national, randomized, multicentre trial aimed to compare two methadone titration methods (stop-and-go vs progressive) in patients with cancer-related pain who were inadequately relieved by or intolerant to level 3 opioids. Methods The primary endpoint was the rate of success/failure at Day 4, defined as pain relief (reduction of at least two points on the visual scale and a pain score