Non-viral gene therapy to relieve acute focal pain
Official title: Developing non-viral gene therapy for acute pain treatment
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11418135 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new non-opioid gene therapy delivered by lipid nanoparticles aims to reduce pain from acute surgical and other focal pain conditions, potentially lowering the need for opioid medications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,130,557 |
| NIH project number | 1R61NS149953-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418135 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults undergoing surgical procedures or experiencing acute focal pain who are candidates for a non-opioid pain-relief approach.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals whose pain is not primarily driven by nociceptor excitability or who have contraindications to nanoparticle-based therapies.
What this research studies
This project seeks to temporarily dial down the excitability of pain-sensing nerves (nociceptors) using a non-viral lipid nanoparticle delivery system. It focuses on acute postsurgical pain as the primary target, with possible benefits for other sudden pain flare-ups. By modulating nerve activity locally, the approach aims to provide pain relief with fewer systemic side effects compared with opioids. The program is in the early translational stage, evaluating different lipid nanoparticle formulations in preparation for human studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience meaningful reduction in acute pain after surgery with fewer opioid-related risks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous non-viral or viral approaches have shown that modulating nociceptor activity can reduce pain in animal models, supporting continued development.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wainger, Brian Jason — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Wainger, Brian Jason
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Multi-Site Feasibility Study to Prepare for a Clinical Trial on Battlefield Acupuncture, Battlefield Acupressure, or Sham for Acute Pain
A team at UC San Diego is testing a non-drug, needle-free and needle-involved acupuncture approach to treat acute postoperative pain and reduce reliance on opioids.
-
IV ketamine vs morphine for acute pain in children
A new comparison in kids with acute pain will test whether a low-dose IV ketamine works as well as IV morphine for pain relief and safety in the emergency department.
-
IV low-dose ketamine versus IV morphine for treating children's sudden pain
This project compares low-dose IV ketamine and IV morphine to relieve sudden moderate-to-severe pain in children and teens who come to the emergency department.
-
Comparing ketamine and morphine for treating acute pain in children.
This study is looking at whether a lower dose of ketamine can help kids in the emergency room feel better from pain compared to morphine, with the goal of finding a safer and more effective way to treat their pain.
-
Investigating how the body processes endocannabinoids to manage acute pain
This study is looking at how a natural substance in the body called 2-AG helps manage pain, especially for people recovering from major surgeries, with the goal of finding safer pain relief options that don’t involve addictive opioids.
-
Improving pain treatment for infants and young children
This study is all about finding better ways to understand and measure pain in babies and young kids so that doctors can create safer and more effective pain relief options for them.
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.