Local adenosine treatment to reduce pain and help heal bone fractures

Modulation of local adenosine signaling to attenuate fracture pain

['FUNDING_R01'] · DUKE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11303603

This work is developing a local adenosine-based approach to relieve pain and support healing for people with bone fractures.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorDUKE UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (DURHAM, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11303603 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

The team is creating an injectable biomaterial that releases adenosine directly at a broken bone to both blunt pain signals and encourage bone formation. They will test different doses and formulations in lab and preclinical models to see how the material affects pain and fracture healing. Measurements will include pain-related outcomes and markers of bone repair over time, alongside safety checks for the delivery material. If promising, the approach would be prepared for future clinical testing in patients with fractures.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with recent acute bone fractures or recovering from orthopedic fracture surgery who need pain relief and want alternatives to NSAIDs or opioids.

Not a fit: People with chronic non-fracture pain conditions or pain unrelated to bone injury are unlikely to benefit from this fracture-focused approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lessen fracture pain while improving bone healing and reduce reliance on NSAIDs or opioids.

How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and animal studies show adenosine can promote bone growth and reduce pain, but using a local injectable biomaterial for fractures is relatively new.

Where this research is happening

DURHAM, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.