# Novel treatments of fracture repair and bone pain

> **NIH NIH R01** · INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS · 2024 · $608,358

## Abstract

SUMMARY
Chronic pain and disability after bone fracture in the aged population are common. Approaches to pain
management following orthopaedic surgery often include the use of opioids. The use of non-narcotic drugs such
as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for fracture pain is of limited use in the United States because
of data suggesting that NSAIDs inhibit early fracture healing. Therefore, identifying new analgesics that do not
compromise bone healing or contribute to chronic pain conditions is important. Here we will explore the role of
the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which is widely distributed in sensory nerves that
innervate the skeleton, in both the bone healing process and in mediating chronic pain due to bone fracture in
mice. Our approach will test the hypothesis that CGRP signaling is beneficial for bone healing following fracture
but compromises the return to normal physiological functioning of the individual due to nociceptive neuron
sensitization. This hypothesis will be tested in a setting of a murine model of surgically created femoral fracture
using male and female mice. These mice will determine the impact of fracture-targeted delivery of CGRP
(tCGRP) on bone healing in animals with treatment of a re-purposed anti-CGRP monoclonal antibody to
modulate nociceptive pain due to fracture. Successful completion of this application will provide new insights as
to how modulation of CGRP regulates bone healing, inflammation, and pain states. This project, testing
therapeutic strategies associated with the regulation of CGRP, may ultimately improve fracture healing and
reduce the need for opioid usage for post-fracture pain management.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10890441
- **Project number:** 1R01AR083130-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS
- **Principal Investigator:** Melissa A Kacena
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $608,358
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-07-05 → 2029-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10890441

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10890441, Novel treatments of fracture repair and bone pain (1R01AR083130-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10890441. Licensed CC0.

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