Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have found new evidence that BRAF, a protein commonly involved in cancer, plays a key role in developing, amplifying and maintaining chronic pain caused by nerve damage. BRAF inhibitors reduced pain sensitivity in preclinical models, suggesting the therapeutic potential of this approach for treating chronic nerve pain.
The study, published in Science Signaling, was co-led by Shao-Rui Chen, M.D., professor of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, and Hui-Lin Pan, M.D., Ph.D., endowed chair of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine.
"Our findings identify the cancer-promoting protein BRAF as a key driver of pathological pain signaling following nerve injury," Pan said. "Because BRAF inhibitors are already approved for cancer treatment, this discovery raises the possibility of rapidly repurposing existing therapies to reduce the level of pain signals entering the spinal cord and improve patient quality of life."
How nerve injury causes chronic pain
Chronic nerve pain, or neuropathic pain, can result from injury, disease or even life-saving cancer treatments. This pain can be intense and persistent, and it responds poorly to conventional pain medications, negatively affecting patient quality of life.
