TNF-alpha and chronic disc-related back pain
Role of TNFalpha in discogenic pain progression and as a treatment target
This project looks at whether blocking a protein called TNF-alpha can reduce chronic disc-related back pain in adults with degenerating spinal discs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11240311 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work follows how injured spinal discs can turn into long-term (discogenic) back pain by causing inflammation of nearby nerves. The team studies disc and dorsal root ganglia changes using lab models and human tissue samples, and compares responses in males and females. They will test approaches that lower TNF-alpha to see if nerve sensitization and pain signals are reduced. Findings will guide whether targeting TNF-alpha could become a new, more specific treatment for disc-related back pain.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with chronic axial back pain thought to be caused by intervertebral disc degeneration (discogenic pain) would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People whose pain is due to other clear causes (for example primarily hip problems, acute traumatic injury, or non-disc spinal conditions) may not benefit from the approaches tested here.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could point to targeted treatments that reduce nerve inflammation and long-term disc-related back pain.
How similar studies have performed: Anti–TNF-alpha drugs have helped other inflammatory conditions and animal studies suggest benefit for disc-related pain, but prior clinical trials for back pain have been limited and results mixed.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Iatridis, James C. — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Iatridis, James C.
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 below.