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A breakthrough study led by researchers from UT Austin, The University of Texas at Dallas, and the University of Miami has identified a promising molecule, FEM-1689, that effectively reduces hypersensitivity associated with neuropathic pain in mice trials. Neuropathic pain, caused by nerve damage, often leads to chronic discomfort, and current medications come with limited efficacy and potential side effects, including addiction risk. FEM-1689 showed remarkable benefits in various models of neuropathic pain, such as diabetic neuropathy and chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, offering long-lasting relief.
Importantly, FEM-1689 does not engage opioid receptors in the body, positioning it as a potential alternative to existing pain medications linked to addiction. Beyond pain relief, the compound also regulates the integrated stress response (ISR), a cellular signaling network crucial for responding to injuries and diseases. Proper regulation of ISR is vital for maintaining balance and promoting healing, while dysfunction can contribute to various diseases.
“It’s our goal to make this compound into a drug that can be used to treat chronic pain without the dangers of opioids,” stated Stephen Martin, co-corresponding author and the June and J. Virgil Waggoner Regents Chair in Chemistry at UT Austin. The researchers’ company, NuvoNuro Inc., recently received a grant from the National Institutes of Health HEAL Initiative to develop a drug based on these findings, contributing to non-opioid pain therapeutics.
The study marks a significant advancement in academic drug discovery, showcasing the potential for a novel treatment for neuropathic pain with improved tolerability and effectiveness.
Note: The researchers involved in this study have submitted financial disclosure forms, and the project received funding from the National Institutes of Health, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the Robert A. Welch Foundation.
