Scientists from the University of Michigan will begin a phase 1 clinical trial for the treatment of cancer-related painusing gene therapy: a novel gene transfer vector injected into the skin to deliver a pain-relieving gene to the nervous system.

In this groundbreaking clinical trial, the investigators will use a vector created from herpes simplex virus (HSV) - the virus that causes cold sores - to deliver the gene for enkephalin, one of the body's own natural pain relievers.

"In pre-clinical studies, we have found that HSV-mediated transfer of enkephalin can reduce chronic pain," says David Fink, M.D., Robert Brear Professor and chair of the department of neurology at the U-M Medical School. Fink developed the vector with collaborators and will direct the study.

The researchers are recruiting 12 patients with intractable pain from cancer for this study. For more information, contact the U-M Cancer AnswerLine, 800-865-1125.

Image: Caption: The gene transfer vector (left) is injected into the skin in the area of pain (red line, right). From the skin, the vector is carried into sensory nerves and releases the inhibitory neurotransmitter locally in the spinal cord (red oval). Credit: University of Michigan