• W G Warren, M Osborn, A David-Pereira, C Tsantoulas, Wenwen Xue, A Yates, and S E OSullivan.
• Artelo Biosciences Ltd., Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, Cheshire, UK.
• Eur J Pain. 2024 Aug 26.

BackgroundPainful neuropathy is a pathological condition caused by numerous factors including diabetes, chemotherapy or cancer. ART26.12 is a novel fatty acid-binding protein 5 inhibitor, which our group showed could prevent and treat persistent pain in a preclinical model of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy.MethodsIn the current study, the efficacy of orally dosed ART26.12 was tested in multiple neuropathy models of different aetiology. Paw withdrawal threshold to von Frey monofilaments and latency to escape a cold plate were used as measurements of mechanical and cold sensitivity.ResultsART26.12 (25 and 50 mg/kg BID), dosed prior to the induction of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN), reversed mechanical allodynia induced by paclitaxel in both male and female rats, and ART26.12 (50 mg/kg BID) prevented the induction of PIPN in female rats. ART26.12 (50 mg/kg BID) also had a protective effect on body weight in the PIPN model. ART26.12 (25 and 100 mg/kg BID) reversed mechanical allodynia when treating established streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy in male rats. In a model of breast cancer-induced bone pain in female rats, ART26.12 (100 mg/kg BID) reversed mechanical allodynia within 1 h of dosing. In the same model, ART26.12 (25 mg/kg BID) reversed mechanical allodynia from day 4 of treatment.ConclusionOverall, these preclinical data suggest that ART26.12 is a safe and efficacious therapeutic drug for continued development towards the prevention and treatment of peripheral neuropathy.Significance StatementThis work now shows that ART26.12, a novel and selective inhibitor of FABP5, can prevent and treat multiple preclinical models of peripheral neuropathy. Given its excellent safety profile, further work is warranted to develop ART26.12 as a potential therapeutic tool for pain management.© 2024 The Author(s). European Journal of Pain published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Pain Federation ‐ EFIC ®.

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