Researchers at the Center for Innovative Drug Discovery are making significant strides in developing non-opioid medications for pain management. Chronic pain, affecting one in five adults in the U.S., incurs significant costs annually. Traditional opioids, commonly prescribed in Texas, pose risks of addiction and overdose, with opioid-related deaths rising sharply in recent years.
Under the leadership of Stanton McHardy, efforts are underway to create small-molecule inhibitors targeting the PLA2 enzyme, aiming to prevent opioid use disorder. Collaborations with experts in pain therapeutics focus on designing non-addictive pain relief medications.
Another project explores targeting specific pain receptors in the body, specifically the delta and kappa opioid receptors. By activating these receptors selectively, researchers aim to reduce pain without the dangers associated with opioids. This innovative approach could lead to a new class of safe and effective painkillers.
Additionally, a compound called CP612 has shown promise in reducing nerve pain from chemotherapy and easing pain during opioid withdrawal without addiction risks. This multi-disciplinary research not only advances potential treatments for chronic pain but also provides valuable learning opportunities for students involved in the drug discovery process.
