Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics
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Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a common complication of herpes zoster, which results from reactivation of varicella zoster virus, is a challenging neuropathic pain syndrome. The incidence and severity of herpes zoster and PHN increases with immune impairment or age and may become a greater burden both in terms of health economics and individual suffering. A clearer understanding of the underlying mechanisms of this disease and translation of preclinical outcomes to the clinic may lead to more efficacious treatment options. Here we give an overview of recent findings from preclinical models and clinical research on PHN.
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This review examines recent preclinical research on toxic peripheral neuropathy and potential therapeutic developments. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity is a major clinical problem because it represents the dose-limiting side effects of a significant number of antineoplastic drugs. Patients are unable to complete full or optimal treatment schedules. ⋯ As such, improved understanding of the pathophysiology of chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity need for animal models is clinically relevant and will assist in the development of future neuroprotective strategies and also in the design of novel chemotherapies with improved toxicity profiles. In this review, the features of animal models of chemotherapy-induced painful neuropathy developed for 20 years, due to the administration of the most widely used drugs, such as platinum drugs, taxanes, and vinca alkaloids, will be discussed. In a second part, data available on neuroprotectants and treatment strategies, evaluated using these previous animal models in the attempt to prevent neuropathic pain, will be summarized.
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Classification of neuropathic pain has been based on disease entities, anatomical localization, or histological observations. Over the past decade, there has been an explosion in our understanding of the basic mechanisms of neuropathic pain. The exciting advances in basic science are paralleled by the recognition from clinical investigations that neuropathic pain is not a monolithic entity, but instead presents as a composite of pain and other sensory symptoms. ⋯ First, in clinical proof-of-concept trials the study population can be enriched prospectively on the basis of entry criteria defined a priori. This enrichment with patients who potentially require a specific treatment should increase the likelihood for positive trial outcomes. Second, in clinical practice it becomes possible to establish an individualized therapy--that is, to identify the particular patients who require a specific treatment option.
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Drugs that block voltage-gated sodium channels are efficacious in the management of neuropathic pain. Accordingly, this class of ion channels has been a major focus of analgesic research both in academia and in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry. In this article, we review the history of the use of sodium channel blockers, describe the current status of sodium channel drug discovery, highlight the challenges and hurdles to attain sodium channel subtype selectivity, and review the potential usefulness of selective sodium channel blockers in neuropathic pain.