Advances in pain therapeutics

Recent work in defining molecular targets for neuropathic pain has been plentiful and varied. Three novel targets have received much attention recently: N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subtypes such as the glycine and NR2B sites, and the tetrodotoxin-resistant voltage-gated sodium channel (Na(v) 1.8; SNS/PN3). Preclinical data have been encouraging as a number of selective NR2B and glycine site antagonists have shown efficacy in animal models. Selective Na(v) 1.8 channel blockers have yet to emerge; however, strong genetic evidence and data from non-selective Na channel blockers indicate that this target too may hold much promise.