TLR4 inhibitor could help treat chemotherapy-induced pain

A Cell Reports study from researchers at University of California San Diego showed spinal injection of a toll-like receptor 4-binding protein reversed chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain in mice. The findings suggest a new, non-opioid approach to treating pain caused by cisplatin and other chemotherapies regulated by TLR4 signaling.

Previous studies showed TLR4 gene knockout protected mice from tactile allodynia in some pain models. Activation of TLR4 leads to cytokine release and has been linked to increased inflammation in several inflammatory disorders and diseases such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)...