Cell therapy for pain

Background: Management of chronic pain remains a challenge in spite of numerous drugs that are either approved or still in development. Apart from inadequate relief, there are concerns about adverse effects and addiction. Cell therapy is being explored for relief of pain. Objective: To address the rationale for cell therapy for treatment of pain and its advantages over conventional pharmaceuticals. The prospects of translation of these techniques from experimental animals to clinical use are discussed. Methods: This review is based on the literature on cell therapy in relation to pain and is confined to experimental work as there are no approved therapies in this category. Results/conclusions: A number of promising cell therapy technologies have been identified. These provide targeted approaches to delivery of antinociceptive molecules, avoiding subjecting the patient to systemic toxicity of drugs. There has been considerable progress in treating degenerative joint diseases causing pain. Management of neuropathic pain is a challenge and a number of ongoing studies are addressing it. Overall the future of cell therapy for pain is promising.