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 may be able to identify promising avenues for preventing chronic pain. Their findings are set to be published in the journal *Progress in Neurobiology*.
Chronic pain is severe pain that persists for more than three months. Approximately 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 the mechanisms underlying the onset of this chronic postoperative pain and propose strategies 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 results in increased sensitivity to pain 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 activation of the FLT3 receptor in the affected nerve fibers, which leads 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 pain reliever, these antibodies do not cross the blood-brain barrier but instead target damaged nerves in the peripheral nervous system. FLT3 is therefore a promising target not only for the management of postoperative pain but also for preventing it from becoming chronic.
“These results are still preliminary, but if they are confirmed, they could help many patients suffering from chronic pain—especially given that approximately 300 million surgeries are performed each year worldwide ,” says 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 its entirety in English 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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