A University of Reading research team has been awarded funding to explore whether tiny particles produced by stem cells could offer a new way to treat chronic nerve pain.
The RESOLVE project, led by Dr Maria Maiarú and in collaboration with Professor Darius Widera and Dr Graeme Cottrell at the University of Reading's School of Pharmacy, will test whether the particles can reduce the persistent inflammation that drives long-lasting pain.
Stem cells release these particles naturally as a way of communicating with other cells, and they are known to have a calming effect on the immune system.
Dr Maiarú said: "Chronic nerve pain is incredibly hard to treat, and too many patients are left without good options.
“We think these tiny stem cell particles could offer something genuinely different. Rather than masking pain, they may be able to reset the processes that keep it going in the first place. That is a very different approach to anything currently available."
The project involves partners across Germany, Lithuania, Romania and Croatia, and has a total budget of €1,191,123.20 distributed among five partner institutions.
As well as lab and animal testing, the team will analyse blood samples from 128 patients with nerve pain to identify signals that could help predict which patients would benefit most from future treatments.