Gene therapy for chronic pain: emerging opportunities in target-rich peripheral nociceptors

Nat Rev Neurosci. 2023 Apr;24(4):252-265. doi: 10.1038/s41583-022-00673-7. Epub 2023 Jan 19.

Abstract

With sweeping advances in precision delivery systems and manipulation of the genomes and transcriptomes of various cell types, medical biotechnology offers unprecedented selectivity for and control of a wide variety of biological processes, forging new opportunities for therapeutic interventions. This perspective summarizes state-of-the-art gene therapies enabled by recent innovations, with an emphasis on the expanding universe of molecular targets that govern the activity and function of primary sensory neurons and which might be exploited to effectively treat chronic pain.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Chronic Pain* / genetics
  • Chronic Pain* / metabolism
  • Chronic Pain* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Nociceptors* / metabolism
  • Transcriptome