Cancer drug developed over 20 years ago ‘could help patients living with chronic pain’

A drug developed over 20 years ago to treat cancer could help patients living with crippling pain, according to new research.

Kenpaullone switches on a gene that douses chronic inflammation, say scientists.

Experiments on mice and humans found it was remarkably successful at alleviating nerve injury and bone tumour symptoms.

The US team is hopeful clinical trials will see equally successful results in humans suffering a host of conditions.

Up to 8 million people in the UK live with chronic pain. Major causes include arthritis and spine damage.

Lead author Professor Wolfgang Liedtke said: “New drugs and other therapies against chronic pain need to be safe, i.e., the fewer side effects the better.

“It’s especially important they be non-addictive and non-sedative, while being effective against nerve injury pain and cancer pain, preferably with a minimal time to official approval."

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Source: The Independent, 27 October 2021