Practical Geriatrics ›› 2026, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (3): 217-223.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1003-9198.2026.03.001

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Advances in drug targets for chronic pain

Alina Zhawatibai, DAN Chuancai, WANG Shu, WU Zhengyi, WANG Kun, ZHU Weifan, LIN Qingqing, LIU Huanbing   

  1. Department of Geriatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
  • Received:2025-12-15 Published:2026-03-26
  • Contact: LIU Huanbing, Email: ndyfy00368@ncu.edu.cn

Abstract: Chronic pain is a globally prevalent and difficult-to-cure disease. Current treatment approaches, such as opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are unable to meet the needs of clinical practice due to their adverse reactions and limited efficacy. This review comprehensively introduces the current research on drug targets for chronic pain. For traditional targets such as opioid receptors, the focus is now on developing biased agonists and optimizing personalized medication regimens, while cyclooxygenase targets are shifting towards balance regulation and using combination therapy. Emerging targets such as ion channels, inflammatory mediators, and neurotransmitter receptors is opening up new pathways for highly specific analgesia. However, it remains challenging to practical treatment. In addition, cutting-edge targets such as epigenetic regulation and gut microbiota, when combined with artificial intelligence technology, are driving the advancement of precision medicine for chronic pain. Finally, this paper points out that the current research still confronts challenges such as species differences and individual variations. Future research directions will focus on multi-omics integration and the development of multi-target drug, which may lead to the creation of safer, more effective, and highly personalized analgesic strategies and therapies.

Key words: chronic pain, drug target, opioid receptors, ion channel, inflammatory factor

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