title: The nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor: a target with broad therapeutic potential.
abstract: Identification of the enigmatic nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (N/OFQ) in 1995 represented the first successful use of reverse pharmacology and led to deorphanization of the N/OFQ receptor (NOP). Subsequently, the N/OFQ-NOP system has been implicated in a wide range of biological functions, including pain, drug abuse, cardiovascular control and immunity. Although this could be considered a hurdle for the development of pharmaceuticals selective for a specific disease indication, NOP represents a viable drug target. This article describes potential clinical indications and highlights the current status of the very limited number of clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Sciences (Pharmacology and Therapeutics Group), Division of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK. DGL3@le.ac.uk
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Lambert
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000378:metabolism*; D000094942:Nociceptin Receptor
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D000094942:Nociceptin Receptor; C000722283:OPRL1 protein, human