title: Ion channel blockers for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
abstract: Neuropathic pain, a severe chronic pain condition characterized by a complex pathophysiology, is a largely unmet medical need. Ion channels, which underlie cell excitability, are heavily implicated in the biological mechanisms that generate and sustain neuropathic pain. This review highlights the biological evidence supporting the involvement of voltage-, proton- and ligand-gated ion channels in the neuropathic pain setting. Ion channel modulators at different research or development stages are reviewed and referenced. Ion channel modulation is one of the main avenues to achieve novel, improved neuropathic pain treatments. Voltage-gated sodium and calcium channel and glutamate receptor modulators are likely to produce new, improved agents in the future. Rationally targeting subtypes of known ion channels, tackling recently discovered ion channel targets or combining drugs with different mechanism of action will be primary sources of new drugs in the longer term.
authors.affiliation: Preclinical Research, Newron Pharmaceuticals, 20091 Bresso, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Francisconi
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Faravelli
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Izzo
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pevarello
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism*; D049990:Membrane Transport Modulators / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D049990:Membrane Transport Modulators