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BIDDEFORD, Maine

Alleviating pain for those with cancer motivates UNE researcher Tamara King

A University of New England researcher hopes to reduce the double-insult of cancer-induced bone pain with a significant grant awarded by the Maine Cancer Foundation (MCF).

Tamara King, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomedical sciences at the UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences, has received a two-year $139,633 research grant to study the mechanisms underlying breast cancer-induced pain and bone loss. The grant is titled "The role of IL-6 Signaling in Cancer-Induced Bone Pain."

King, an internationally known researcher in the pain field, lives in Kennebunk.

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States, and commonly diagnosed cancers such as lung, prostate, and breast cancer often metastasize to the bone; this metastasis is associated with significant adverse effects, including bone fractures, leading to incapacitating pain and limited or total loss of mobility and daily activity.

"Bone pain is one of the most common, feared and disruptive symptoms of cancer, and it severely impacts the quality of life for those afflicted with this disease," says King.  "Moreover, the opiates that are often used for moderate to severe cancer pain have their own debilitating side effects. We need to test and develop improved therapies for cancer-induced pain, but our first step is to better understand the factors driving this pain."

King aims to do that with the recently awarded Maine Cancer Foundation grant. Her work focuses on identifying mechanisms that may be exploited to effectively treat cancer pain while minimizing or eliminating the need for opiates.

She notes that blockade of the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) may be an optimal target for blocking metastatic bone pain. IL-6 signaling is an important component in pain signaling and may also play a role in tumor-induced bone restructuring that leads to fracture, limited mobility and pain in patients with bone metastases.

King is particularly excited about this research because it may enable rapid translation to clinical trials, producing an immediate impact for patients. 

Tocilizumab, a humanized IL-6 receptor antibody, is currently approved for human use for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic inflammatory disease. Tocilizumab has been shown to improve treatment outcomes and attenuate disease progression in RA patients. This compound is approved for clinical use and is available for exploration of possible effects in human cancer pain.

The University of New England is an innovative health sciences university grounded in the liberal arts. UNE has internationally recognized scholars in the liberal arts, sciences, health and medicine; offers more than 40 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs; and is home to Maine's only medical school.

Its two distinctive campuses in Biddeford and Portland, Maine offer student-centered interprofessional programs in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, Westbrook College of Health Professions, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Pharmacy, and College of Graduate Studies.  The College of Dental Medicine will enroll its inaugural class in 2013. 
 

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.