title: A Feline-Specific Anti-Nerve Growth Factor Antibody Improves Mobility in Cats with Degenerative Joint Disease-Associated Pain: A Pilot Proof of Concept Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neutralizing antibodies against nerve growth factor (NGF) are analgesic in rodent models, naturally occurring degenerative joint disease (DJD) pain in dogs, and chronic pain in humans.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of a fully felinized anti-NGF antibody (NV-02) for the treatment of DJD pain and mobility impairment in cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four client-owned cats with DJD-associated pain and mobility impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a placebo-controlled, pilot, masked clinical study, cats were randomized to a single treatment with NV-02 (0.4 mg/kg SC [n = 11] or 0.8 mg/kg SC [n = 12]) or placebo (saline, SC [n = 11]). Activity was measured objectively. Additionally, owners completed clinical metrology instruments (client-specific outcome measures [CSOM] and feline musculoskeletal pain index [FMPI]) on days 0 (screening), 14 (baseline), 35, 56, and 77. A repeated-measures model was used to evaluate the objective activity data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NV-02 significantly increased objectively measured activity overall (P = .017) and at 2 (P = .035), 3 (P = .007), 4 (P = .006), 5 (P = .007), and 6 (P = .017) weeks after treatment. CSOM scores (P = .035) and pain (P = .024) showed a significant effect of treatment 3 weeks after administration. In the treatment group, 83% of the owners correctly identified the treatment administered compared with 45% of owners in the placebo group (P = .013). No treatment-related adverse effects were identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These pilot data demonstrate a 6-week duration positive analgesic effect of this fully felinized anti-NGF antibody in cats suffering from DJD-associated pain.
authors.affiliation: Comparative Pain Research Program, NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC.|Comparative Medicine Institute, NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gruen
authors.affiliation: Comparative Pain Research Program, NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, NC State University, Raleigh, NC.
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Griffith
authors.affiliation: Comparative Pain Research Program, NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Paradise
authors.affiliation: Nexvet Australia Pty Ltd, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Gearing
authors.affiliation: Comparative Pain Research Program, NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC.|Comparative Medicine Institute, NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC.|Center for Pain Research and Innovation, UNC Dental School, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors.forename: B D X
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Lascelles
mesh_terms: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D002415:Cats; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000662:veterinary; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000276:immunology*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013045:Species Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor
keywords: Client-specific outcome measures; Feline musculoskeletal pain index; Osteoarthritis