For centuries, opioid drugs have been the mainstay of chronic pain treatment. However, over time analgesic tolerance develops, leaving few treatment options.
Here we show that platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β)-mediated signaling plays a key role in morphine tolerance. PDGFR-β inhibition selectively eliminates morphine tolerance in rats. PDGFR-β inhibitors are widely used and well tolerated, suggesting that clinical translation of our findings could reduce the suffering endured by individuals with intractable pain.
2012-03-07
Eng.
Department of Anesthesiology, The University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
Nat Med. 2012 Mar;18(3):385-7
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