Development of selective Cav3 channel blockers for treatment of neuropathic pain

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Millions of Americans suffer from chronic neuropathic pain, which is often refractory to current treatment. In search of a solution to this problem of chronic, untreatable pain, we intend to develop a new analgesic therapy based on modulation of the T-type Ca2+ channel. T-type Ca2+ channels play key roles in pain signaling. The Cav3 family of channels is involved in at least two key stages of pain pathways: first, at the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and again at the thalamic pain relay. Both chronic nerve constriction injury and diabetic neuropathy cause upregulation of one of these channels (Cav3.2) in the DRG neurons of rats. Conversely, gene knockout, antisense knockdown, or silencing of the Cav3.2 isoform produces good apparent pain relief in both neuropathic and inflammatory pain in rats or mice. In short, the T-type Ca2 channels appear to be excellent drug targets for treating neuropathic pain. In our completed T-channel biologic probe discovery project (NS05077