Identification of tumor-cell producing novel endogenous analgesic substance

外伤或疾病引起的周围神经或脊神经损伤有多种后果，包括神经性疼痛的发展。这种综合征通常对常规镇痛药是难治性的；因此，需要新的药物来治疗它。本研究为肿瘤细胞产生新型内源性阿片样物质提供了证据。我们的研究结果表明，中枢神经系统μ-阿片受体依赖机制对患癌小鼠早期和晚期骨癌疼痛具有强直性调节作用。调控内源性阿片类药物的产生或分泌及其镇痛机制可能是未来治疗慢性难治性疼痛（包括癌症或神经性疼痛管理）的创新目标。

Injury to peripheral or spinal nerves following either trauma or disease has several consequences including the development of neuropathic pain. This syndrome is often refractory against conventional analgesics; and thus, novel medicaments are desired for its treatment. This study provided evidence in support of the tumor cells produce novel endogenous opioids. Our findings suggest that a CNS μ-opioid-receptor dependent mechanism tonically modulates early and late-stage bone cancer pain in cancer-bearing mice. Regulation of production or secretion of endogenous opioids and mechanisms of its analgesic may be targets for future innovations for chronic intractable pain including cancer or neuropathic pain management.