Creating new pain relief medications that don't rely on opioids
Official title: Developing equilibrative nucleoside transporter inhibitors as non-opioid pain therapeutics
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10946923 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help people manage pain safely without using opioids by looking at a natural substance in the body called adenosine, and it’s testing a new compound to see if it can make pain relief even better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,563,778 |
| NIH project number | 1R61NS138215-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10946923 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from neuropathic pain, particularly those who have not found relief with current pain management strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience neuropathic pain or those who are not seeking alternatives to opioid medications may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new medications that can relieve pain without the risks associated with opioids. It investigates the role of equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) in increasing levels of adenosine, a natural pain-relieving substance in the body. By inhibiting ENT1, the research aims to enhance the analgesic effects of adenosine through its receptors, potentially leading to safer pain management options. The study includes validating the effectiveness of a new compound, JH-ENT-01, in animal models of neuropathic pain and developing methods to screen for effective ENT1 inhibitors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with new, non-opioid pain relief options that have fewer side effects and lower addiction potential.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting adenosine receptors for pain relief, suggesting that this approach could lead to significant advancements in pain management.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Seok-Yong — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Lee, Seok-Yong
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.