Expert opinion on investigational drugs
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Expert Opin Investig Drugs · Sep 2011
ReviewTargeting voltage-gated calcium channels for the treatment of neuropathic pain: a review of drug development.
Pain is a major burden for affected individuals and society, and controlling neuropathic pain is especially challenging. The number of drugs available is limited and treatments are often marginally effective and burdened by side effects. Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) play a major role in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain and are thus prime targets for its treatment. ⋯ There is real hope that new drugs targeting calcium channels will soon be available. This hope is based on advancing technologies for peptide synthesis, more efficient drug screening and orally available, use-dependent compounds. Some form of direct VGCC blockade or modulation will always have a place in the treatment of neuropathic pain, but given the complexity and neuroplasticity of pain transmission, polypharmacy will likely be required for many chronic pain sufferers for the foreseeable future.