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Molecular Advances in Chronic Pain: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Innovations
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Molecular Advances in Chronic Pain: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Innovations

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2026 | Viewed by 4232

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Roberto Tedeschi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Interests: physiotherapy; musculoskeletal disorders; foot; pain management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on advances in understanding and managing chronic pain, a common issue in various musculoskeletal and rheumatic conditions. Chronic pain represents a complex challenge that requires a multidisciplinary approach to fully comprehend its underlying mechanisms and to develop new therapeutic strategies. We invite contributions that explore pain mechanisms, from biological and molecular foundations to neurological and psychological influences, as well as innovative studies on pain management. This collection is aimed at all professionals interested in improving the quality of life of patients suffering from chronic pain, offering solutions that combine cutting-edge research with clinical applications. Since IJMS is a journal of molecular science, pure clinical or model studies will thus not be suitable for our journal. But, clinical or pure model submissions with biomolecular experiments are welcomed.

Dr. Roberto Tedeschi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • chronic pain
  • pain mechanisms
  • pain management
  • therapeutic innovation
  • translational research

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

28 pages, 639 KB  
Review
Beyond the Pain: Rethinking Chronic Pain Management Through Integrated Therapeutic Approaches—A Systematic Review
by Nicole Quodling, Norman Hoffman, Frederick Robert Carrick and Monèm Jemni
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(3), 1231; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27031231 - 26 Jan 2026
Viewed by 2553
Abstract
Chronic pain is inherently multifactorial, with biological, psychological, and social factors contributing to neuropathic pain (NP) and central sensitization (CS) syndromes. Comorbidity between functional disorders and the lack of clinical biomarkers adds to the challenge of diagnosis and treatment, leading to frustration for [...] Read more.
Chronic pain is inherently multifactorial, with biological, psychological, and social factors contributing to neuropathic pain (NP) and central sensitization (CS) syndromes. Comorbidity between functional disorders and the lack of clinical biomarkers adds to the challenge of diagnosis and treatment, leading to frustration for healthcare professionals and patients. Available treatments are limited, increasing patient suffering with personal and financial costs. This systematic review examined multisensory processing alterations in chronic pain and reviewed current pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. A structured search was conducted on the PubMed database using the keywords Central Sensitization, Fibromyalgia, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, and Neuropathic Pain, combined with the keywords Vision, Audition, Olfaction, Touch, Taste, and Proprioception. Papers were then filtered to discuss current treatment approaches. Articles within the last five years, from 2018 to 2023, have been included. Papers were excluded if they were animal studies; investigated tissue damage, disease processes, or addiction; or were conference proceedings or non-English. Results were summarized in table form to allow synthesis of evidence. As this study is a systematic review of previously published research rather than a clinical trial or experimental investigation, the risk of bias was assessed independently by at least two reviewers. 138 studies were identified and analyzed. Of these, 96 focused primarily on treatment options for chronic pain and were analyzed for this systematic review. There were a few emerging themes. No one therapy is effective, so a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis, including pharmacological, somatic, and psychological treatment, is generally predicted to achieve the best outcomes. Cranial neurovascular compromise, especially of the trigeminal, glossopharyngeal, and potentially the vestibulocochlear nerve, is being increasingly revealed with the advancement of neuroimaging. Cortical and deep brain stimulation to evoke neuroplasticity is an emerging and promising therapy and warrants further investigation. Finally, including patients in their treatment plan allows them control and offers the ability to self-manage their pain. Risk of bias limits the ability to judge the quality of evidence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Chronic Pain: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Innovations)
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30 pages, 818 KB  
Review
Chronic Pain in Multiple Sclerosis: Mechanisms, Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Strategies
by Panagiotis Gklinos, Georgia Christodoulou, Dorothea Pournara, Maria-Eleftheria Evangelopoulos and Dimos-Dimitrios Mitsikostas
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(2), 873; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27020873 - 15 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1096
Abstract
Chronic pain is an underestimated and undertreated yet highly prevalent symptom in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), significantly impairing quality of life and functional outcomes. Its prevalence ranges from 23% to 90% across studies, reflecting methodological differences and discrepancies in the definition and [...] Read more.
Chronic pain is an underestimated and undertreated yet highly prevalent symptom in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), significantly impairing quality of life and functional outcomes. Its prevalence ranges from 23% to 90% across studies, reflecting methodological differences and discrepancies in the definition and recognition of chronic pain. In this article, we aim to provide an updated review of the pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic pain in MS, including the effect and interaction between neuropathic, nociceptive and nociplastic mechanisms, and propose a mechanism-based classification. Furthermore, we explore different therapeutic approaches, including both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, tailored to each patient according to the mechanism involved. A deeper understanding of the distinct chronic pain mechanisms and phenotypes can provide more effective and personalized treatment strategies and lead to improved patient outcomes and quality of life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Chronic Pain: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Innovations)
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