RESEARCHERS from the University of Adelaide and international collaborators have developed a new targeted prodrug for chronic pain relief.
Led by Prof Andrew Abell and including Dr Thomas Avery and Dion Turner, the team designed a prodrug that activates only at pain sites, reducing side effects.
With findings published in Nature Biotechnology, the compound uses a unique chemical reaction with reactive oxygen species like hydrogen peroxide - found in high levels at pain sites - to activate the drug, providing localised relief for various conditions such as sciatic nerve injuries, osteoarthritis, and chemo-induced neuropathy.
"We believe we were the first people to come up with the idea of using this particular chemical reaction in a biological sense, and we already see potential for its use in other settings," Abell said.
In preclinical trials, the prodrug showed pain relief without inducing tolerance, unlike traditional opioids.
"Our compound addresses an underlying cause of pain, rather than simply blocking pain signals," said co-researcher A/Prof Peter Grace from the University of Texas.
The project, funded by the NIH HEAL Initiative, now advances to further preclinical trials.
Immunologic, a company formed by team members, is raising funds to develop the prodrug for human trials, offering an alternative to addictive opioids.
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