BioCentury
ARTICLE | Distillery Therapeutics

Therapeutics: μ opioid receptor (MOR; OPRM1); CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5; CD195)

November 19, 2015 8:00 AM UTC

In vitro and mouse studies suggest a conjugate of an MOR agonist and a CCR5 antagonist could help treat inflammation-associated pain. The conjugate consisted of the generic MOR agonist oxymorphone and a tool compound that antagonizes CCR5. In mouse models of inflammation-associated thermal or mechanical hyperalgesia, intrathecal delivery of the conjugate decreased nociception compared with the combination of unconjugated oxymorphone and the CCR5 antagonist, or either agent alone. Next steps include testing the conjugate in mouse models of diabetic neuropathy.

Various formulations of oxymorphone are marketed to treat pain...