BRAF Linked to Neuropathic Pain; Cancer Drugs Show Pain-Reducing Potential in Preclinical Tests

MD Anderson researchers found the cancer-promoting protein BRAF may drive chronic neuropathic pain after nerve injury by increasing spinal NMDA receptor activity. In preclinical models, BRAF pathway inhibitors like vemurafenib and the MEK inhibitor selumetinib reduced pain sensitivity without affecting normal pain responses, supporting the potential to repurpose existing cancer drugs for pain relief. Genetic studies further confirmed BRAF’s role in the development and persistence of neuropathic pain. However, these findings are preclinical and require dose, delivery, and safety evaluation before human trials.