Neuropathic pain is a chronic and debilitating condition characterised by episodes of hyperalgesia and allodynia. It occurs following nerve damage from disease, inflammation or injury and currently impacts up to 17% of the UK population. Existing therapies lack efficacy and have deleterious side effects that can be severely limiting.

Galanin receptor 2 (GalR2) is a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) implicated in the control and processing of painful stimuli. Within the nervous system it is expressed in key tissues involved in these actions such as dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Stimulation of GalR2 is widely reported to have a role in the attenuation of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Several studies have indicated GalR2 as a possible drug target, highlighting the potential of specific GalR2 agonists to both provide efficacy and to address the side-effect profiles of current pain therapies in clinical use.

A strong biological target for drug discovery will be well validated with regards to its role in the relevant disease pathology. Ideally there will be good translational models, sensitive probes, selective and appropriate molecular tools, translational biomarkers, a clearly defined patient population and strong opportunities for commercialisation. Before GalR2 can be considered as a drug target suitable for investment, key questions need to be asked regarding its expression profile, receptor signalling and ligand interactions. This article aims to critically review the available literature and determine the current strength of hypothesis of GalR2 as a target for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

神经性疼痛是一种慢性且使人衰弱的病症，其特征是痛觉过敏和异常性疼痛发作。它发生在疾病、炎症或受伤造成的神经损伤之后，目前影响多达 17% 的英国人口。现有疗法缺乏疗效并且具有严重限制性的有害副作用。

甘丙肽受体 2 (GalR2) 是一种 G 蛋白偶联受体 (GPCR)，参与疼痛刺激的控制和处理。在神经系统中，它在参与这些活动的关键组织中表达，例如背根神经节 (DRG) 和脊髓背角。广泛报道刺激 GalR2 在减轻炎症和神经性疼痛中起作用。几项研究表明 GalR2 作为可能的药物靶点，突出了特定 GalR2 激动剂在提供疗效和解决临床使用中当前疼痛疗法的副作用方面的潜力。

一个强大的药物发现生物学靶​​点将在相关疾病病理学中的作用得到很好的验证。理想情况下，将有良好的转化模型、灵敏的探针、选择性和适当的分子工具、转化生物标志物、明确定义的患者群体和强大的商业化机会。在 GalR2 被视为适合投资的药物靶标之前，需要询问有关其表达谱、受体信号和配体相互作用的关键问题。本文旨在批判性地回顾现有文献，并确定 GalR2 作为治疗神经性疼痛的靶点假设的当前强度。