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. 2018 Jan-Mar;34(1):111-116.
doi: 10.4103/joacp.JOACP_389_15.

Tanezumab: Therapy targeting nerve growth factor in pain pathogenesis

Mona K Patel  1 , Alan D Kaye  2 , Richard D Urman  1
Affiliations

Tanezumab: Therapy targeting nerve growth factor in pain pathogenesis

Mona K Patel et al. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2018 Jan-Mar.

Abstract

In recent years, nerve growth factor (NGF) and the NGF receptor have become potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of acute and chronic pain states. NGF is a neurotrophin involved in regulating the function of sensory and sympathetic neurons during development. Numerous pain states have been linked to elevated levels of NGF and its role in increasing the perception of pain. Tanezumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody (IgG), was developed to target NGF, binding both circulating and local tissue NGF preventing interaction with the tropomyosin-related kinase-A and p75 receptors. Recent clinical studies with tanezumab in different patient populations to date, including osteoarthritis, low back pain, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, demonstrate efficacy with few side effects, including transient arthralgias, paresthesias, hypoesthesia, and rarely, osteonecrosis. Anti-NGF antibodies are a novel therapy in pain management and have shown promise in the treatment of certain pain conditions, which at present are poorly treated. Tanezumab offers an exciting new class of analgesics that has the potential to change the treatment of pain.

Keywords: Monoclonal antibody; nerve growth factor; neuropathic pain; tanezumab; tropomyosin-related kinase.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Molecular formula of tanezumab
Figure 2
Figure 2
Role of nerve growth factor in modulating pain signals to the central nervous system
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