[S30] Frontiers of itch and pain research: from basic science to clinical applications

Sun. Mar 28, 2021 3:45 PM - 5:45 PM [Room G] Oral Presentation G (Online)

Organizer: Fujii Masanori (Kyoto Pharm. Univ.), Fujita Wakako (Grad. Sch. Biomed. Sci., Nagasaki Univ.)

Itch and pain are somatic sensations that play a vital role as the natural defense system by alerting us to biological abnormalities; on the other hand, persistent severe itch and pain in chronic diseases should be treated appropriately. However, the mechanisms underlying chronic itch and pain are not fully understood, and current treatments for these symptoms are often inadequate. Furthermore, there are clinical problems associated with current therapies, such as drug resistance and drug-induced dysesthesia. In this symposium, with the help of specialists of the research fields, we will present recent advances from basic and clinical studies addressing the above issues: 1) Opioid receptor and the analgesic tolerance (Fujita), 2) Analysis of mechanism and drug development for painful dysesthesia (Nakagawa), 3) Central mechanism of pruritus exacerbation in atopic dermatitis (Fujii), and 4) New therapeutic strategy for pruritus in atopic dermatitis (Kabashima). Then, we will discuss the perspectives for the development of new drugs and treatments for chronic intractable itch and pain.