Targeting Nav1.7: A new approach to long-lasting relief from nerve pain
Pain is a natural protective mechanism that alerts the body to actual or potential injury. But when nerves themselves are damaged, they can generate abnormal pain signals even in the absence of a new injury. This condition, known as neuropathic pain, can be persistent and difficult to treat. Medicines can sometimes provide inadequate relief or cause unwanted effects, creating a need for…
Neuropathic pain, caused by damaged nerves, can be persistent and challenging to treat. A new study has targeted a protein called Nav1.7, a voltage-gated sodium channel found in sensory neurons, to provide long-lasting relief from this type of pain. Researchers at the University of Toyama and Shionogi & Co., Ltd. developed humanized antibodies that specifically bind to Nav1.7, reducing the electrical activity of nerve cells involved in pain signaling.
In rats with partial sciatic nerve ligation, an established model of neuropathic pain, the antibodies administered intravenously showed significant reduction in mechanical sensitivity, comparable to the commonly used treatment pregabalin. Importantly, these effects remained stronger 96 hours after treatment. The antibodies were also found to reduce abnormal spinal and sensory-neuron activity without altering normal mechanical sensation or motor performance.
While promising, the study's findings are still preclinical, and further research is needed to confirm the antibody's clinical efficacy and safety.
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