Gaining a Better Understanding of the Transition from Acute to Chronic Pain
Researchers at the Montpellier Institute of Neuroscience (University of Montpellier/Inserm) have demonstrated the key role of the FLT3 receptor in the chronicity of post-surgical pain. By inhibiting this receptor using therapeutic antibodies, scientists could offer promising avenues for the prevention of chronic pain. Their findings are set to be published in the journal Progress in Neurobiology.
Chronic pain refers to significant pain that persists for more than three months. About 30% of patients who have undergone surgery will develop this type of pain following the procedure. In this study led by Cyril Rivat, Professor the University of Montpellier, scientists shed light on mechanisms that help better understand the onset of this chronic postoperative pain and propose ways to alleviate it.
According to the results of this study conducted on an animal model, repeated exposure to pain (repeating the same surgery at one-week intervals) creates a long-term vulnerability that manifests as increased pain sensitivity and the onset of anxiety and depression. The FLT3 receptor, expressed by certain so-called sensory neurons, plays a key role in this phenomenon. Specifically, the surgical procedure triggers the activation of the FLT3 receptor in the affected nerve fibers, leading not only to an increase in initial pain but also to its chronicity.
Antibodies directed against FLT3
In collaboration with the Montpellier Cancer Research Institute and Biodol Therapeutics, therapeutic antibodies targeting the FLT3 receptor have been developed. These antibodies inhibit FLT3 activation, which significantly reduces pain intensity and prevents the progression to chronic pain. The principle is simple: unlike morphine or any other type of painkiller, these antibodies do not cross the blood-brain barrier but target damaged nerves in the peripheral nervous system. FLT3 thus emerges as a promising target not only for the management of postoperative pain but also for preventing its progression to chronic pain.
“These results are still preliminary, but if confirmed, they could help many patients suffering from chronic pain—especially given that approximately 300 million surgeries are performed worldwide each year ,” explains Cyril Rivat.
Practical information:
“Activation of neuronal FLT3 promotes exaggerated sensory and emotional pain-related behaviors, facilitating the transition from acute to chronic pain”is already available in full in its English version and will be published in the scientific journal *Progress in Neurobiology*, Volume 222, in March 2023, 102405.
Authors: Adrien Tassou, Maxime Thouaye, Damien Gilabert, Antoine Jouvenel, Jean-Philippe Leyris, Corinne Sonrier, Lucie Diouloufet, Ilana Mechaly, Sylvie Mallié, Juliette Bertin, Myriam Chentouf, Madeline Neiveyans, Martine Pugnière, Pierre Martineau, Bruno Robert, Xavier Capdevila, Jean Valmier, Cyril Rivat.
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