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Updated: Dec 8, 2025

Development of Recombinant Proteins to Treat Chronic Pain
Published on: April 11, 2018
Novel opioid-neurotensin-based hybrid peptide with spinal long-lasting antinociceptive activity and a propensity to
Karolina Frączek1, Mattia Ferraiolo2, Emmanuel Hermans2
1Department of Pharmacodynamics, Centre for Preclinical Research (CBP), Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw 02-097, Poland.
Abstract:
The behavioral responses exerted by spinal administration of the opioid-neurotensin hybrid peptide, PK23, were studied in adult male rats. The antinociceptive effect upon exposure to a thermal stimulus, as well as tolerance development, was assessed in an acute pain model. The PK23 chimera at a dose of 10 nmol/rat produced a potent pain-relieving effect, especially after its intrathecal administration. Compared with intrathecal morphine, this novel compound was found to possess a favourable side effect profile characterized by a reduced scratch reflex, delayed development of analgesic tolerance or an absence of motor impairments when given in the same manner, though some animals died following barrel rotation as a result of its i.c.v. administration (in particular at doses higher than 10 nmol/rat). Nonetheless, these results suggest the potential use of hybrid compounds encompassing both opioid and neurotensin structural fragments in pain management. This highlights the enormous potential of synthetic neurotensin analogues as promising future analgesics.
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