Dr. Zanos was invited to discuss groundbreaking ketamine clinical trial on Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Zanos was recently invited to appear on the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (RIK) to discuss our laboratory’s groundbreaking clinical trial investigating ketamine as a treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD).
This pioneering study—the first of its kind in Cyprus—is being conducted at the National Opioid Substitution Pharmacotherapy Clinic. Designed as a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, it aims to evaluate ketamine’s potential in preventing relapse and prolonging abstinence in OUD patients, particularly those with co-occurring depression.
This research marks a significant milestone for clinical studies in Cyprus, paving the way for future innovative trials in the country. By addressing the complex challenges faced by individuals with OUD and comorbid depression—an often underdiagnosed and undertreated condition that can severely impact recovery—our trial seeks to fill a crucial gap in treatment strategies.
Through this rigorous investigation, our laboratory is advancing evidence-based treatments for substance use disorders while establishing a foundation for future clinical research initiatives in Cyprus.
We look forward to sharing updates as this important study progresses. This research exemplifies our commitment to developing novel therapeutic approaches for complex psychiatric conditions and expanding the frontiers of clinical research in Cyprus.
For more details, visit the official clinical trial registry: EU Clinical Trials Register – Ketamine for OUD Study.
Dr. Zanos presents groundbreaking research on novel therapeutic approaches for opioid addiction
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Zanos recently delivered an impactful presentation on innovative approaches to treating opioid addiction. The lecture highlighted cutting-edge research developments and provided insights into the PROUD study, a pioneering clinical trial investigating ketamine’s potential in preventing opioid relapse.
During this enlightening session, Dr. Zanos shared important findings about the complex relationship between opioid addiction and affective disorders, emphasizing the critical need for more effective therapeutic interventions. Attendees learned about the limitations of current opioid substitution treatments and the promising potential of novel pharmacotherapies.
A significant portion of the presentation focused on the PROUD study – the first drug-interventional clinical trial of its kind in Cyprus. Dr. Zanos discussed how this groundbreaking research explores ketamine’s efficacy in preventing relapse among individuals with opioid use disorder, particularly during extended abstinence periods. The presentation provided valuable insights into the study’s innovative approach to identifying biomarkers that may predict relapse vulnerability and treatment efficacy.
This public engagement event reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing addiction treatment through rigorous scientific research while ensuring effective dissemination of our findings to both the scientific community and the general public.
Clinical trial participants’ selfless gift to medicine!
Our study participants are the true heroes behind the PROUD project, and their dedication inspires everything we do. Their willingness to share their personal journeys, take part in this groundbreaking research, and contribute to advancing science is nothing short of remarkable.
Our research team has the opportunity to sit down with some of our participants and hear their stories firsthand. They share their challenges, hopes, and the impact that participating in the PROUD project has had on their lives. For many, the study represents more than just research—it’s a beacon of hope for recovery and a chance to help others struggling with similar challenges.
Through their courage and trust, they are not only helping us uncover new ways to prevent opioid relapse but also helping to break the stigma surrounding addiction. Their voices remind us of the human side of science and the real-world impact of our work.
To our participants: thank you for trusting us with your stories and being part of this journey. Your resilience and strength inspire us to push forward every day. Together, we are paving the way for a future where effective solutions for opioid addiction are within reach.
High-impact peer-reviewed publication based on our PROUD project: Ketamine as a Potential Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder.
The Zanos lab is excited to announce the publication of our latest research paper in the prestigious journal Biological Psychiatry. Our study explores the potential of ketamine and its metabolites as novel therapeutic strategies for treating Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).
In this comprehensive review, we examine both preclinical and clinical research on ketamine’s potential in OUD treatment. The paper discusses ketamine’s promise in managing acute withdrawal symptoms, alleviating negative affect during protracted opioid abstinence, and preventing relapse. We also delve into the molecular targets of ketamine and its metabolites, exploring their relation to OUD treatment outcomes.
Our findings suggest that ketamine and its metabolites can effectively modulate pathophysiological processes affected in OUD, offering a promising new avenue for treatment and relapse prevention. Importantly, our review indicates that ketamine and its metabolites could be tested in clinical trials for their efficacy in treating OUD. We propose that these compounds could initially serve as adjuncts to current therapies, with the potential to be developed into standalone monotherapies in the future.
For more information: https://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(24)01591-9/fulltext
Behind-the-Scenes Look: Lab Techniques
Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes? Our team is working diligently on biomarker analysis using ELISA measurements. These insights will help us identify predictors of relapse and improve treatment outcomes for opioid addiction.
These measurements play a crucial role in understanding relapse vulnerability and the mechanisms that extend abstinence periods. Every data point brings us closer to developing groundbreaking strategies to prevent relapse in opioid use disorder patients.
Stay tuned for more updates!
PROUD project highlighted by the State Health Services Organisation in Cyprus
We are beyond than happy to share that the PROUD project, led by the University of Cyprus, was recently featured in State Health Services Organisation, OKYPY’s social media announcements. This recognition underscores the significance of our research efforts and their impact on public health in Cyprus.
The PROUD project is featured throughout the news!
Dialogos: https://shorturl.at/jaKrm
GoodLife: https://goodlife.cy/ereyna-pk-gia-antimetopisi-exartisis-apo-opioeidi/
Paideia-news: https://paideia-news.com/poed/2024/06/11/epanastatiki-ereyna-gia-tin-antimetopisi-tis-eksartisis-apo-opioeidi-stin-kypro/
NEAKYPROS: https://neakypros.com.cy/index.php/news/50097
Cyprus Times: https://cyprustimes.com/koinonia/protoporiaki-erevna-panepistimiou-kyprou-gia-antimetopisi-exartisis-apo-opioeidi/
Larnacaonline: https://larnakaonline.com.cy/2024/06/11/erevna-panepistimiou-kyprou-gia-antimetopisi-eksartisis-apo-opioeidi/
University Center for Field Studies – UCFS: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057400220190
University of Cyprus press release: Promoting the PROUD project to the community.
The University of Cyprus has issued a press release to promote the groundbreaking research project titled “Efficacy of Ketamine for Relapse Prevention in Opioid Use Disorder – PROUD” to the wider community. Coordinated by the University of Cyprus in collaboration with the State Health Services Organization (OKYPY), this project is the first of its kind in Cyprus, aiming to explore innovative therapeutic approaches to address opioid addiction.
Opioid addiction remains a global epidemic, with relapse rates after abstinence reaching as high as 85-91%. The PROUD project investigates ketamine as a potential solution to this challenge, leveraging its antidepressant properties and its ability to significantly reduce relapse rates when administered under proper medical supervision.
Led by Dr. Panos Zanos, Assistant Professor of Neuropharmacology at the University of Cyprus, the research involves a multidisciplinary team of esteemed scientists in psychiatry, psychology, and neuroscience. The study is conducted at the “GEFYRA” Substitution Unit in the Athalassa Psychiatric Hospital and remains open for patient enrollment.
For more information see: PROUD11.06.24
Dr. Zanos featured on a podcast to discuss the PROUD project
Our study is now underway
Our study, which examines the efficacy of ketamine in preventing relapse to opioids during protracted opioid abstinence and aims to identify the neural substrates for its efficacy, has commenced.
We express our gratitude to the Research and Innovation Foundation of Cyprus for funding our study (EXCELLENCE/0421/0543).
We employ blood-based biomarkers and EEG measurements to elucidate the mechanisms of action of ketamine as a novel treatment for opioid addiction.
Our new Instagram post promoting recruitment strategies for our PROUD project.
Exciting Update: Our Study is Officially Registered!
We are thrilled to announce that our latest research study has been successfully registered in the EU Clinical Trials Register under the Trial ID 2022-001997-70. This milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing scientific discovery and ensuring transparency in clinical research.
About the Study. The currently-prescribed opioid substitution treatments exhibit limited efficacy in reversing negative affect or preventing relapse in opioid abstinent individuals, emphasizing the need for innovative therapeutics in the treatment of opioid addiction. Research has shown a high incidence (ranging from 40 to 60%) of depression and other affective disorders in opioid use disorder treatment-seeking populations. Emerging evidence suggests that ketamine may hold promise for the treatment of drug addiction, with findings indicating that ketamine administration may extend periods of abstinence, including opioid addiction. However, it remains unclear whether ketamine reverse affective behaviors emerging during protracted opioid abstinence and lead to relapse. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying these potentially beneficial effects of ketamine have not been fully characterized. Our overarching goal is to identify biomarkers predicting vulnerability to relapse during opioid abstinence and assess whether ketamine can serve as a treatment to decrease the likelihood of relapse following extended opioid abstinence. We also aim to pinpoint neurobiophysiological markers that predict both vulnerability to relapse and the efficacy of ketamine in preventing relapse among opioid addicts. We are currently running the first ever drug-interventional clinical trial ever conducted in Cyprus to assess the efficacy of ketamine to prevent relapse: EudraCT: 2022-001997-70.
Next Steps. We are now moving forward with participant recruitment, data collection, etc. Stay tuned for updates as we progress in this exciting journey!
Assessment of Ketamine’s efficacy on Opioid Addiction and Relapse Prediction.
This comprehensive study aims to evaluate ketamine’s multifaceted impact on opioid addiction treatment and relapse prevention in opioid use disorder (OUD) patients. We will first assess the efficacy of subanesthetic ketamine doses as an adjunct treatment for opioid addiction to alleviate negative affective behaviors, and extend abstinence periods, expecting measurable positive outcomes within hours of administration. Secondly, our study focuses on identifying stress, psychological, and neurophysiological biomarkers to predict opioid relapse, anticipating correlations between stress system activation, emotional regulation, and improved treatment outcomes, particularly with ketamine. Lastly, our investigation delves into acute ketamine-induced changes in cortical neural activity, particularly high-frequency oscillations, aiming to predict reversal of negative affective behaviors, and sustained opioid abstinence post-ketamine administration, where higher gamma power is expected to correlate positively with ketamine’s therapeutic effects in OUD patients.
NEW ACHIEVEMENT: Dr. Zanos has successfully secured €199,920 in funding from the Cyprus Research and Innovation Foundation for a new project exploring ketamine’s efficacy to prevent opioid relapse.
Exciting developments are underway in our new research initiative, where we are delving into the promising realm of drug repurposing. Specifically, our project focuses on the repurposing of ketamine to assess its efficacy in preventing relapse among patients battling with comorbid mood and opioid-use disorders. This innovative approach aims to leverage the therapeutic potential of ketamine in a novel context.
Beyond evaluating the effectiveness of ketamine in averting relapse, our study also aims to unravel the neurobiophysiological mechanisms underlying through which ketamine exerts its effects, aiming to comprehend how it prolongs periods of abstinence and acts as a formidable barrier against the resurgence of opioid dependence.
What makes our study particularly groundbreaking is that it signifies a pioneering milestone for clinical research in Cyprus. This project is the first-ever interventional clinical trial with drug administration of its kind in the country, highlighting our commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and therapeutic possibilities in the field of substance use disorders.