Sensory profiling in animal models of neuropathic pain: a call for back-translation.
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Rice, Andrew SC
Finnerup, Nanna B
Kemp, Harriet I
Currie, Gillian L
Baron, Ralf
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This Topical review considers the misalignment between outcome measures traditionally reported in animal models of neuropathic pain (For brevity, we will adhere to convention and use the shorthand “animal model of neuropathic pain.” However, we suggest that a more accurate classification is in terms of the disease they purportedly mimic [eg, traumatic nerve injury, diabetic neuropathy, etc] rather than as a model of “pain.”) and those used for estimating pain intensity and the impact/burden of pain in clinical trials. In particular, we propose that traditional methods of assessing rodent sensory thresholds could have predictive utility for the sensory profiling approaches being explored for patient stratification in clinical trials. To initiate this process, we propose a “research agenda” to develop and validate a protocol and normative values for sensory profiling in rodents, which reflects the best established clinical methods. This could then be used to establish definitive sensory profiles of new and existing rodent neuropathic pain models.
In general, animal modelling of neuropathic pain has 2 main goals: First, to identify pain mechanisms and thus potential targets for drug development. However, it is difficult to identify clear examples of the success of this approach in delivering new drugs for neuropathic pain, with the exception of high concentration topical capsaicin.22 Second, animal models are used in an attempt to predict the clinical efficacy of a novel therapeutic and thus justify the initiation of clinical trials. We concentrate on the latter aspect and ask whether the drug response associated with specific sensory profiles in animal models might predict the most appropriate patients to examine in exploratory clinical trials?
In general, animal modelling of neuropathic pain has 2 main goals: First, to identify pain mechanisms and thus potential targets for drug development. However, it is difficult to identify clear examples of the success of this approach in delivering new drugs for neuropathic pain, with the exception of high concentration topical capsaicin.22 Second, animal models are used in an attempt to predict the clinical efficacy of a novel therapeutic and thus justify the initiation of clinical trials. We concentrate on the latter aspect and ask whether the drug response associated with specific sensory profiles in animal models might predict the most appropriate patients to examine in exploratory clinical trials?
Date Issued
2018-05-01
Date Acceptance
2017-12-20
Citation
PAIN, 2018, 159 (5), pp.819-824
ISSN
0304-3959
Publisher
Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Start Page
819
End Page
824
Journal / Book Title
PAIN
Volume
159
Issue
5
Copyright Statement
© 2018 International Association for the Study of Pain. This is a non-final version of an article published in final form in PAIN. 159(5):819–824, MAY 2018, https://dx.doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001138
Sponsor
Wellcome Trust
Commission of the European Communities
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29300280
Grant Number
WELLCOME GRANT 065374/Z/01/Z
115007
Subjects
11 Medical And Health Sciences
17 Psychology And Cognitive Sciences
Anesthesiology
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States
Date Publish Online
2017-12-26