Nerve Growth Factor Antibody for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis Pain and Chronic Low-back Pain: Mechanism of Action in the Context of Efficacy and Safety

Overview

Journal Pain

Specialties Neurology
Psychiatry

Date 2019 May 31

PMID 31145219

Citations 54

Authors

Martin Schmelz

Patrick Mantyh

Anne-Marie Malfait

John Farrar

Tony Yaksh

Leslie Tive

Lars Viktrup

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Chronic pain continues to be a significant global burden despite the availability of a variety of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment options. Thus, there is a need for new analgesics with novel mechanisms of action. In this regard, antibodies directed against nerve growth factor (NGF-Abs) are a new class of agents in development for the treatment of chronic pain conditions such as osteoarthritis and chronic low-back pain. This comprehensive narrative review summarizes evidence supporting pronociceptive functions for NGF that include contributing to peripheral and central sensitization through tropomyosin receptor kinase A activation and stimulation of local neuronal sprouting. The potential role of NGF in osteoarthritis and chronic low-back pain signaling is also examined to provide a mechanistic basis for the observed efficacy of NGF-Abs in clinical trials of these particular pain states. Finally, the safety profile of NGF-Abs in terms of common adverse events, joint safety, and nerve structure/function is discussed.

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