Tests on rats show genetically modified viruses can kill pain

[Al-khiyal]

Tests on rats show genetically modified viruses can kill pain

January 22, 2008 -- Scientists have successfully tested a new method to treat long-term pain, using genetically-modified viruses. By delivering specific genes directly into the spinal column the viruses alleviated severe pain for up to three months at a time and avoided the need for drugs.

A study of more than 60,000 people across Europe in 2006 showed that 21% of the population suffer from long-term pain. According to the British Pain Society almost 10 million people in the UK suffer pain that has a major impact on their quality of life and requires time off work. The society estimates that back pain alone costs the country £5 billion a year.

Most pain is treated using opiate drugs such as morphine which do not help in all cases. Studies on cancer pain report failures of up to 66%. Targeting the drugs by injecting them into the spinal column can reduce side-effects such as drowsiness and hallucinations, but it is still imperfect.

In the study Benjamin Storek, of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, used a virus that was modified to carry the prepro-beta-endorphin gene into nerve cells where it activated opiate receptors, mimicking morphine-like painkillers. He injected the virus directly into the spinal fluid of rats suffering from neuropathic pain. The rats remained pain free three months later. A second gene, interleukin-10, was also effective. The results were published yesterday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The researchers said that further studies would be needed to assess the long-term safety of the technique.

[Bent_Bladi]

The researchers said that further studies would be needed to assess the long-term safety of the technique.

Amazing and all... bas that's what I'd like to know too.