Funded Projects

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Project # Project Title Research Focus Area Research Program Administering IC Institution(s) Investigator(s) Location(s) Year Awarded
1R43DA050395-01
Fixed dose analgesic combination with non-opioid mechanism to prevent opioid misuse Cross-Cutting Research Small Business Programs NIDA SYNVENTA, LLC GOMTSIAN, ARTOUR Tucson, AZ 2019
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: America’s Startups and Small Businesses Build Technologies to Stop the Opioid Crisis (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-DA-19-019
Summary:

With nearly 116 million people suffering from chronic pain in the United States, there is a need for new analgesics without the risks posed by opioids. Antagonists acting at TRPV1 receptor have long been recognized as one of the most promising novel classes of non-opioid analgesics. Initial tests in humans have confirmed that this class of drugs produces analgesia and is safe and well-tolerated, but side effects include hyperthermia and partial loss of heat sensitivity, leading to most research being halted. This project will conduct a set of preclinical proof-of-concept studies in rats to support the claims that, at doses that have minimal, clinically acceptable, or negligible impact on cardiovascular function, a2 adrenoceptor agonists can diminish thermoregulatory effects of TRPV1 receptor antagonists.
1R41DA050364-01
Optimization of Betulinic Acid analogs for T-type calcium channel inhibition for non-addictive relief of chronic pain Cross-Cutting Research Small Business Programs NIDA REGULONIX, LLC KHANNA Tucson, AZ 2019
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: America’s Startups and Small Businesses Build Technologies to Stop the Opioid Crisis (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-DA-19-019
Summary:

The increase in prevalence of cancer coupled with an increase in the cancer survival rates due to chemotherapy regimens is transforming cancer pain into a large, unmet medical problem. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and potentially dose-limiting side effect of many cancer drug treatment regimens and is caused in part by alterations in ion channels; blocking or depleting Cav3.2 channels in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons should thus mediate analgesic effects. This proposal aims to develop and test potent, orally available, and selective Cav3.2 channel antagonists, building on the structure of a medicinal plant product—betulinic acid (BA)—that has been identified to be Cav3.2-selective and antinociceptive in CIPN. Such compounds could reduce the reliance on opioids in cancer patients.
1R41NS116784-01
Discovery of T-type Calcium Channel Antagonists from Multicomponent Reactions and Their Application in Paclitaxel-induced Peripheral Neuropathy Cross-Cutting Research Small Business Programs NINDS REGULONIX, LLC KHANNA, RAJESH Tucson, AZ 2019
NOFO Title: PHS 2017-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42])
NOFO Number: PA-17-303
Summary:

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is detected in 64% of cancer patients during all phases of cancer. CIPN can result in chemotherapy dose reduction or discontinuation, and can also have long-term effects on the quality of life. Taxanes (like Paclitaxel) may cause structural damage to peripheral nerves, resulting in aberrant somatosensory processing in the peripheral and/or central nervous system. Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) sensory neurons as well as neuronal cells in the spinal cord are key sites in which chemotherapy induced neurotoxicity occurs. T-type Ca2+ channels are critical determinants of increased neuronal excitability and neurotransmission accompanying persistent neuropathic pain. Though Cav3.2 has been targeted clinically with small molecule antagonists, no drugs targeting these channels have advanced to phase II human clinical trials. This proposal aims to explore multicomponent reaction products, for the rapid identification of potent and selective T-type Ca2+ channel antagonists. The work proposed here is the first step in developing non-opioid pain treatments for CIPN. The team anticipates success against paclitaxel-induced chronic pain will translate into other chronic pain types as well, but CIPN provides focus for early stage proof-of-concept.
1R61DA059889-01
Methadone Patient Access to Collaborative Treatment (MPACT) Translation of Research to Practice for the Treatment of Opioid Addiction Optimizing the Quality, Reach, and Impact of Addiction Services NIDA UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA MEYERSON, BETH Tucson, AZ 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Translating Research to Practice to End the Overdose Crisis (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-DA-23-053
Summary:

Current practices and culture in treatment programs for opioid use disorder, including treatment with methadone, may contribute to treatment interruption and relapse risk. This project will develop and test a staff-level intervention for opioid treatment programs to increase methadone treatment retention and decrease in-treatment overdose and patient- and staff-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms. The intervention includes components to address trauma in patients and staff as well as separate supervisory structures for counselors/case managers and medical providers.
1R61NS126026-01A1
Antagonists of CRMP2 Phosphorylation for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Development and Optimization of Non-Addictive Therapies to Treat Pain NINDS UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA KHANNA, RAJESH Tucson, Arizona 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Planning Studies for Initial Analgesic Development [Small Molecules and Biologics] (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: NS21-029
Summary:

A more thorough understanding of neuropathic pain is critical for developing new target-specific medications. Researchers know that peripheral nerve injury changes various cell processes that affect two ion channels linked with chronic pain. Preliminary studies indicate that molecular changes known as phosphorylation to the collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2), one of five intracellular phosphoproteins, promotes abnormal excitability in the brain region that contributes to neuropathic pain. This project aims to develop small molecule inhibitors of CRMP2 phosphorylation as potential therapeutics for pain.