title: HSV gene transfer in the treatment of chronic pain.
abstract: It has proven difficult to use systemic administration of small molecules to selectively modulate nociception. Over the past decade, we and others have developed non-replicating herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based vectors to treat chronic pain. Subcutaneous inoculation of an HSV vector effectively transduces sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglion; release of transgene-coded inhibitory neurotransmitters or anti-inflammatory peptides reduces pain-related behaviors in rodent models of chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain. A phase 1 trial of this therapy in patients is set to begin soon.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA. djfink@umich.edu
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mata
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000628:therapy; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000166:cytology; D018139:Simplexvirus