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News

30 June 2025

Opioid receptors: Innovative, but complex peptides for developing improved therapeutics – Watch now on YouTube

In our 8th and last Masterclass lecture, now available on YouTube, Prof. Dr. Andrea Bedini (UNIBO) dives into the depths of molecular biology and intracellular signalling mechanisms, providing a comprehensive overview about the complexity and therapeutic potential of opioid receptors, a group of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that were studied intensely in the QSPainRelief project. How can we exploit the mu (μ) opioid receptor (MOR) and the kappa (κ) opioid receptor (KOR) better to improve therapies and combinatorial treatments for chronic pain patients? Prof. Bedini’s keynote lecture took place on 10 December 2024 as part of the Final QSPainRelief GA Meeting in Bologna, Italy, and can also be viewed on the E-Learning & Videos page.

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Events

27 May 2025

Final Steering Committee Meeting – A Strong Finish of a Collaborative Journey

We assembled for our Final Steering Committee (SC) Meeting this week, reviewing the milestones achieved and looking ahead to what’s next. Held virtually, it was filled with exciting results and lively discussions. Day 1 showcased the major progress, from signalling pathways and preclinical validation to data management, in silico analysis and development of the QSPainRelief model platform. Day 2 turned the spotlight on clinical insights, ethical frameworks, and project coordination. The team also explored how to take their work beyond the project – through dissemination, commercialisation opportunities, and applications for future funding. It was a celebration of what can be achieved through collaboration, innovation, and the shared vision of building a powerful, integrative tool for personalised treatment of chronic pain.

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Resources

Personalise and maximize pain relief for individuals suffering from chronic pain

Summary Statement

10 institutions in Europe and the USA collaborate for the next 5 years to help patients suffering from chronic pain. QSPainRelief aims to develop effective drug combination treatments for the improved relief of chronic pain. A quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) mathematical modelling approach will be used to identify and validate more effective therapeutic interventions by smart combinations of existing drugs. The ultimate goal is to personalise and maximize pain relief for individuals suffering from chronic pain while diminishing side effects.

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Objectives

  • Consolidating cutting-edge treatment models for chronic pain
  • Summary Statement
  • Validating novel combinational therapies preclinically in vitro and in vivo
  • Conducting clinical studies to detect functional biomarkers
  • Improving the clinical guidelines for pain relief in stratified patient groups
  • Personalising pain relief treatment for each patient
  • Improving the scientific understanding of chronic pain regarding age, sex, disease and genetic factors

Impact

  • Novel concepts of combinational pain relief therapies
  • Improved efficacy and acceptability in the clinic
  • Effective stratification of patients with respect to age, sex, disease and genotype
  • Personalised treatment with unswerving benefits for patients
  • Unique knowledge gain and innovation opportunities

Project partners