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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Development of Recombinant Proteins to Treat Chronic Pain
10:37

Development of Recombinant Proteins to Treat Chronic Pain

Published on: April 11, 2018

A clinical trial of gene therapy for chronic pain

Darren Wolfe1, James Wechuck, David Krisky

  • 1Diamyd Inc, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Pain Medicine (Malden, Mass.)
|October 13, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Gene therapy using a herpes simplex virus (HSV) vector to deliver pain-reducing genes is being tested in humans. This first trial offers a new approach for managing intractable cancer pain.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Gene Therapy
  • Pain Management

Background:

  • Intractable cancer pain presents a significant clinical challenge.
  • Current pain management strategies have limitations.
  • Gene therapy offers a novel therapeutic avenue for pain control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the rationale and preclinical data for a gene therapy approach to chronic pain.
  • To detail the design of the first human trial using a herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based vector.
  • To explore the potential of HSV-based vectors for treating various pain conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Phase 1 clinical trial enrollment began in December 2008.
  • Utilized a nonreplicating herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based vector.
  • Vector engineered to express preproenkephalin for pain relief.

Main Results:

  • The study focuses on the initial human trial design and rationale.
  • Preclinical animal data supports the efficacy of this gene therapy approach.
  • The trial investigates gene therapy for intractable cancer pain.

Conclusions:

  • The first human trial of gene therapy for chronic pain has commenced.
  • HSV-based vectors show promise for developing new pain treatments.
  • This approach may offer a new strategy for managing intractable pain.

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