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(STUDY FINDS) – Monoclonal antibody treatments have brought relief to millions of people during the pandemic. Now, scientists at the University of California, Davis say they could help curb America’s growing opioid epidemic.
Researchers say that monoclonal antibodies have the potential as a monthly non-addictive pain medication that can replace opioids for people with chronic pain. Opioids are highly addictive and because of over-prescriptions for the strong pain-killers, people with chronic pain have also had to deal with addiction problems. The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics reported 107,622 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2021 — an alarming 15% increase from the 93,655 deaths in 2020.
With new technological breakthroughs where computers have a better understanding of biological systems, the team notes they’re given the opportunity to create antibodies or small molecule drugs that target cells, providing a powerful chronic pain treatment.
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