Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42151670›Full record

ReviewCurrent pain and headache reports2026

P2X7 Receptor as a Therapeutic Target for Neuropathic Pain: From Mechanisms to Translational Strategies.

Dan Chen, Shanming Zhang, Yanan Guo, Xinrui Zhao, Peng Mao, Xiangjun Hai, Zhanli Yang, Guanghai Zhao

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Current pain and headache reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Dan Chen *Department of Medicine, Northwest Minzu University, No. 1 Xibei Xincun, Lanzhou, 730030, Gansu, China.
Shanming Zhang *The Second Hospital & Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
Yanan GuoDepartment of Medicine, Northwest Minzu University, No. 1 Xibei Xincun, Lanzhou, 730030, Gansu, China.
Xinrui ZhaoThe Second Hospital & Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
Peng MaoThe Second Hospital & Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
Xiangjun HaiDepartment of Medicine, Northwest Minzu University, No. 1 Xibei Xincun, Lanzhou, 730030, Gansu, China.
Zhanli YangDepartment of Medicine, Northwest Minzu University, No. 1 Xibei Xincun, Lanzhou, 730030, Gansu, China. yangzhanli2043@163.com.
Guanghai ZhaoDepartment of Medicine, Northwest Minzu University, No. 1 Xibei Xincun, Lanzhou, 730030, Gansu, China. zhaogh2024@lzu.edu.cn.

Funding

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities 31920260147Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province 24JRRA370
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purpose of reviewNeuropathic pain (NP) remains a therapeutic challenge due to the limited efficacy of conventional pharmacotherapies. This review aims to systematically consolidate the pathogenic role of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) in NP and to evaluate emerging translational strategies targeting this channel, including natural compounds, selective antagonists, drug repurposing, cell-based therapies, and neuromodulation. RECENT

findingsRecent studies indicate that P2X7R is highly expressed in the spinal cord or dorsal root ganglia across multiple preclinical models of neuropathic pain, including peripheral nerve injury, diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, and postherpetic neuralgia, underscoring its pivotal role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. In preclinical studies, targeting P2X7R with agents such as Brilliant Blue G, A-438079, botulinum toxin A, mesenchymal stem cell-derived secretomes, and high-frequency spinal cord stimulation produces marked, P2X7R-dependent analgesic effects. P2X7R stands out as a promising therapeutic target for neuropathic pain. Future priorities should focus on optimizing P2X7R-targeted pharmacodynamics, developing CNS-penetrant oral antagonists, and exploring combination strategies to maximize analgesic outcomes in NP patients.

Indexed as

NeuralgiaPurinergic P2X Receptor AntagonistsReceptors, Purinergic P2X7AnimalsHumansTranslational Research, BiomedicalPurinergic P2X Receptor AntagonistsReceptors, Purinergic P2X7MicrogliaNeuroinflammationNeuropathic painP2X7 receptorTherapeutic target

Identifiers

PMID42151670

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.