The TRPV3 Receptor as a Pain Target: A Therapeutic Promise or Just Some More New Biology?

Human beings have evolved with a powerful peripheral thermo-sensory capacity to maintain thermal homeostasis and to avoid potentially harmful stimuli. Specialized sensory neurons are believed to mediate temperature sensation. Among the candidate heat-sensitive transient receptor potential (thermoTRP) receptors implicated in this process is the TRPV3 receptor, which is identified as a molecular sensor of "warm to hot" temperatures. This review focuses on recent insights into the therapeutic potential of TRPV3 receptor blockers in pain treatment, efficacy and safety of TRPV3 antagonists during preclinical studies, and their progress into clinical development.