Growth factors and neuropathic pain.

A treatment for neuropathic pain is an important unmet medical need because this pain often is refractory to many medical interventions. An important element in the development of neuropathic pain is a dysfunction in the activity of peripheral nerves. Because neurotrophic factors affect nerve development and maintenance, modulating the activity of these factors can alter neuronal pathophysiology and produce a disease-modifying effect. Blocking the activity of nerve growth factor or enhancing the activity of either glial-derived neurotrophic factor or artemin has shown potential for normalizing neuronal activity and attenuating signs of neuropathic pain in animal models and clinical studies. This article discusses the role of these factors in neuropathic pain and the implications for the development of novel therapeutics.