Papers of the Week

Modern genetic approaches in animal models have unveiled novel itch-specific neural pathways, emboldening a paradigm in which drugs can be developed to selectively and potentially target itch in a variety of chronic pruritic conditions. In recent years, kappa-opioid receptors (KOR) and mu-opioid receptors (MOR) have been implicated in both the suppression and promotion of itch, respectively, by acting in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. The precise mechanisms by which agents that modulate these pathways to alleviate itch remains an active area of investigation. Notwithstanding this, a number of agents have demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials that influence both KOR and MOR signaling. Herein, we summarize a number of opioid receptor modulators in development and their promising efficacy across a number of chronic pruritic conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, uremic pruritus, and beyond.