METHODS, COMPOSITIONS, AND KITS FOR TREATING PAIN

AND PRURITIS

Background of the Invention

The invention features methods, compositions, and kits for selective inhibition of pain-and itch sensing neurons (nociceptors and pruriceptors) by drug molecules of small molecule weight, while minimizing effects on non-pain-sensing neurons or other types of cells. According to the method of the invention, small, hydrophilic drug molecules gain access to the intracellular compartment of pain-sensing neurons via entry through receptors that are present in pain- and itch-sensing neurons but to a lesser extent or not at all in other types of neurons or in other types of tissue.

Local anesthetics such as lidocaine and articaine act by inhibiting voltage - dependent sodium channels in neurons. These anesthetics block sodium channels and thereby the excitability of all neurons, not just pain-sensing neurons (nociceptors). Thus, while the goal of topical or regional anesthesia is to block transmission of signals in nociceptors to prevent pain, administration of local anesthetics also produces unwanted or deleterious effects such as general numbness from block of low threshold pressure and touch receptors, motor deficits from block of motor axons and other complications from block of autonomic fibers. Local anesthetics are relatively hydrophobic molecules that gain access to their blocking site on the sodium channel by diffusing into or through the cell membrane. Permanently-charged derivatives of these compounds (such as QX-314, a quaternary nitrogen derivative of lidocaine), which are not membrane-permeant, have no effect on neuronal sodium channels when applied to the external surface of the nerve membrane but can block sodium channels if somehow introduced inside the cell, for example by a micropipette used for whole- cell electrophysiological recording from isolated neurons. Pain-sensing neurons differ from other types of neurons in expressing (in most cases) the TRPVl receptor/channel, activated by painful heat or by capsaicin, the pungent ingredient in chili pepper. Other types of receptors selectively expressed in various types of pain-sensing and itch-sensing (pruriceptor) neurons include but are not limited to TRPAl, TRPM8, and P2X(2/3) receptors.

Neuropathic, inflammatory, and nociceptive pain differ in their etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Nociceptive pain occurs in response to the activation of a specific subset of peripheral sensory neurons, the nociceptors by intense or noxious stimuli. It is generally acute, self-limiting and serves a protective biological function by acting as a warning of potential or on-going tissue damage. It is typically well-localized. Examples of nociceptive pain include but are not limited to traumatic or surgical pain, labor pain, sprains, bone fractures, burns, bumps, bruises, injections, dental procedures, skin biopsies, and obstructions.

Inflammatory pain is pain that occurs in the presence of tissue damage or inflammation including postoperative, post-traumatic pain, arthritic (rheumatoid or osteoarthritis) pain and pain associated with damage to joints, muscle, and tendons as in axial low back pain.

Neuropathic pain is a common type of chronic, non-malignant pain, which is the result of an injury or malfunction in the peripheral or central nervous system and serves no protective biological function. It is estimated to affect more than 1.6 million people in the U.S. population. Neuropathic pain has many different etiologies, and may occur, for example, due to trauma, surgery, herniation of an intervertebral disk, spinal cord injury, diabetes, infection with herpes zoster (shingles), HIV/AIDS, late-stage cancer, amputation (including mastectomy), carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic alcohol use, exposure to radiation, and as an unintended side-effect of neurotoxic treatment agents, such as certain anti-HIV and chemotherapeutic drugs. In contrast to nociceptive pain, neuropathic pain is frequently described as "burning," "electric," "tingling," or "shooting" in nature. It is often characterized by chronic allodynia (defined as pain resulting from a stimulus that does not ordinarily elicit a painful response, such as light touch) and hyperalgesia (defined as an increased sensitivity to a normally painful stimulus), and may persist for months or years beyond the apparent healing of any damaged tissues.

Pain may occur in patients with cancer, which may be due to multiple causes; inflammation, compression, invasion, metastatic spread into bone or other tissues. There are some conditions where pain occurs in the absence of a noxious stimulus, tissue damage or a lesion to the nervous system, called dysfunctional pain and these include but are not limited to fibromyalgia, tension type headache, irritable bowel disorders and erythermalgia.

Migraine is a headache associated with the activation of sensory fibers innervating the meninges of the brain.

Itch (pruritus) is a dermatological condition that may be localized and generalized and can be associated with skin lesions (rash, atopic eczema, wheals). Itch accompanies many conditions including but not limited to stress, anxiety, UV radiation from the sun, metabolic and endocrine disorders (e.g., liver or kidney disease, hyperthyroidism), cancers (e.g., lymphoma), reactions to drugs or food, parasitic and fungal infections, allergic reactions, diseases of the blood (e.g., polycythemia vera), and dermatological conditions. Itch is mediated by a subset of small diameter primary sensory neurons, the pruriceptor, that share many features of nociceptor neurons, including but not limited to expression of TRPVl channels. Certain itch mediators — such as eicosanoids, histamine, bradykinin, ATP, and various neurotrophins have endovanilloid functions. Topical capsaicin suppresses histamine-induced itch. Pruriceptors like nociceptors are therefore a suitable target for this method of delivering ion channels blockers.

Despite the development of a variety of therapies for pain and itch, there is a need for additional agents.

Summary of the Invention In a first aspect, the invention features a method for treating pain and itch (e.g., neuropathic pain, inflammatory pain, nociceptive pain, idiopathic pain, cancer pain, migraine, dysfunctional pain or procedural pain (e.g., dental procedures, injections, setting fractures, biopsies)) as well as pruritus in a patient by administering to the patient a first compound that activates a membrane bound receptor/ion channel through which a second compound can pass, wherein the second compound inhibits one or more voltage-gated ion channels when applied to the internal face of the channels but does not substantially inhibit the channels when applied to the external face of the channels. The second compound is capable of entering neurons through a membrane bound receptor/ion channel when the receptor is activated. In one embodiment, a third compound that inhibits one or more voltage-gated ion channels is also administered to a patient, wherein the third compound is membrane permeable and blocks the potential irritant sensations elicited by the first compound. In a further embodiment, activation of the channel-forming receptor by the first compound is

reduced or halted following entry of the second compound into the intracellular space to entrap the second compound in the cell. In certain embodiments, the first compound activates a receptor selected from TRPVl, P2X(2/3), TRPAl, and TRPM8 through which the second compound can pass. Treatment of pain or itch can be determined using any standard pain or itch index, such as those described herein, or can be determined based on the patient's subjective pain or itch assessment. A patient is considered "treated" if there is a reported reduction in pain or a reduced reaction to stimuli that should cause pain and a reduction in itch. In certain embodiments, it is desirable to administer the second compound in order to ensure that the receptors (e.g., the TRPVl, P2X(2/3), TRPAl, and/or TRPM8 receptors) are activated, thus allowing for entry of the first compound. In other embodiments, because the receptors (e.g., the TRPVl, P2X(2/3), TRPAl, and/or TRPM8 receptors) are already activated, the second compound is not administered. Consequently, the first compound enters only neurons having receptors that are endogenously activated. In still other embodiments, the receptors (e.g., the TRPV 1 , P2X(2/3), TRPA 1 , and/or TRPM8 receptors) are activated by indicing a physiological state that activates these receptors, thus allowing for entry of the first compound.

If desired, two or more compounds that activate TRPV 1 , P2X(2/3), TRPA 1 , and/or TRPM8 receptors can be employed, as can two or more compounds that inhibit one or more voltage-gated ion channels. Desirably, the first compound(s) and the second compound(s) are administered to the patient within 4 hours, 2 hours, 1 hour, 30 minutes, or 15 minutes of each other, or are administered substantially simultaneously. Importantly, either compound can be administered first. Thus, in one embodiment, one or more compounds that activate TRPVl, P2X(2/3), TRPAl, and/or TRPM8 receptors are administered first, while in another embodiment, one or more compounds that inhibit one or more voltage-gated ion channels when applied to the internal face of the channels but do not substantially inhibit the channels when applied to the external face of the channels are administered first. The compounds can be co- formulated into a single composition or can be formulated separately. Each of the compounds can be administered, for example, by oral, parenteral, intravenous, intramuscular, rectal, cutaneous, subcutaneous, topical, transdermal, sublingual, nasal, vaginal, intrathecal, epidural, or ocular administration, or by injection, inhalation, or direct contact with the nasal or oral mucosa.

Activators of TRPVl receptors include but are not limited to capsaicin, lidocaine, articaine, procaine, eugenol, camphor, clotrimazole, arvanil (N- arachidonoylvanillamine), anandamide, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2APB), AM404, resiniferatoxin, phorbol 12-phenylacetate 13-acetate 20-homovanillate (PPAHV), olvanil (NE 19550), OLDA (N-oleoyldopamine), N-arachidonyldopamine (NADA), ό'-iodoresiniferatoxin (6'-IRTX), Cl 8 N-acylethanolamines, lipoxygenase derivatives such as 12-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid, inhibitor cysteine knot (ICK) peptides (vanillotoxins), piperine, MSKl 95 (N-[2-(3,4-dimethylbenzyl)-3- (pivaloyloxy)propyl]-2-[4-(2-aminoethoxy)-3-methoxyphenyl]ac etamide), JYL79 (N- [2-(3 ,4-dimethylbenzyl)-3 -(pivaloyloxy)propyl] -N '-(4-hydroxy-3 - methoxybenzyl)thiourea), hydroxy-alpha-sanshool, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, 10-shogaol, oleylgingerol, oleylshogaol, and SU200 (N-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)-N'-(4- hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)thiourea). Other activators of TRPVl receptors are described in O ¹ DeIl et al, Bioorg. Med. Chem. 15:6164-6149 (2007) and Sexton et al, FASEB J. 21 :2695-2703 (2007).

Activators of TRPAl receptors include but are not limited to cinnamaldehyde, allyl-isothiocynanate, diallyl disulfide, icilin, cinnamon oil, wintergreen oil, clove oil, acrolein, hydroxy-alpha-sanshool, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, 4-hydroxynonenal, methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, mustard oil, and 3'-carbamoylbiphenyl-3-yl cyclohexylcarbamate (URB597). Other activators of TRPAl receptors are described in Taylor-Clark et al., MoI. Pharmacol. PMID: 18000030 (2007); Macpherson et al, Nature 445:541-545 (2007); and Hill et al, J. Biol. Chem. 282:7145-7153 (2007).

Activators of P2X receptors include but are not limited to ATP, 2-methylthio- ATP, 2' and 3'-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)-ATP, and ATP5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate). Activators of TRPM8 receptors include but are not limited to menthol, icilin, eucalyptol, linalool, geraniol, and hydroxycitronellal.

In certain embodiments, the second compound inhibits voltage-gated sodium channels. Exemplary inhibitors of this class are QX-314, N-methyl-procaine, QX-222, N-octyl-guanidine, 9-aminoacridine, and pancuronium. In yet other embodiments, the second compound inhibits voltage-gated calcium channels. Exemplary inhibitors of this class are D-890 (quaternary methoxyverapamil) and CERM 1 1888 (quaternary bepridil).

In still other embodiments, the second compound is a quarternary amine derivative or other charged derivative of a compound selected from riluzole, mexilitine, phenytoin, carbamazepine, procaine, articaine, bupivicaine, mepivicaine, tocainide, prilocaine, diisopyramide, bencyclane, quinidine, bretylium, lifarizine, lamotrigine, flunarizine, and fluspirilene. Exemplary derivatives are described herein.

In certain embodiments, the third compound can inhibit one or more voltage- gated ion channels (e.g., sodium and/or calcium channels) when present inside a cell. In a preferred embodiment, the third compound is lidocaine.

The invention also features a quarternary amine derivative or other charged derivative of a compound selected from riluzole, mexilitine, phenytoin, carbamazepine, procaine, articaine, bupivicaine, mepivicaine, tocainide, prilocaine, diisopyramide, bencyclane, quinidine, bretylium, lifarizine, lamotrigine, flunarizine, and fluspirilene.

In a related aspect, the invention features a pharmaceutical composition that includes a quarternary amine derivative or other charged derivative of a compound selected from riluzole, mexilitine, phenytoin, carbamazepine, procaine, articaine, bupivicaine, mepivicaine, tocainide, prilocaine, diisopyramide, bencyclane, quinidine, bretylium, lifarizine, lamotrigine, flunarizine, and fluspirilene, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The invention also features a composition that includes: (i) a first compound that activates a receptor selected from TRPVl, P2X(2/3), TRPAl, and TRPM8; and (ii) a second compound that inhibits one or more voltage-gated ion channels when applied to the internal face of these channels but does not substantially inhibit the channels when applied to their external face, wherein the second compound is capable of entering pain sensing neurons through TRPV 1 , P2X(2/3), TRPA 1 , and/or TRPM8 receptors when these receptors are activated. In one embodiment, the second compound is reduced in activity or partially active when applied to the external face, but more active when applied to the internal face. In certain embodiments, a third compound that inhibits one or more voltage-gated ion channels is also administered to a patient, wherein the third compound is membrane permeable and can block the irritant sensations elicited by the first. The composition can be formulated, for example, for oral, intravenous, intramuscular, rectal, cutaneous, subcutaneous, topical, transdermal, sublingual, nasal, vaginal, intrathecal, epidural, or ocular administration,

or by injection, inhalation, or direct contact with the nasal or oral mucosa. If desired, the composition can contain two or more compounds that activate TRPVl, P2X(2/3), TRPAl, and/or TRPM8 receptors, and/or two or more compound that inhibits one or more voltage-gated ion channels. The invention also features a method for inhibiting one or more voltage-gated ion channels in a cell by contacting the cell with: (i) a first compound that activates a receptor selected from TRPVl, P2X(2/3), TRPAl, and TRPM8; and (ii) a second compound that inhibits one or more voltage-gated ion channels when applied to the internal face of the channels but does not substantially inhibit the channels when applied to the external face of the channels, wherein said second compound is capable of entering pain sensing neurons through the receptor when the receptor is activated. In a further embodiment, a third compound that inhibits one or more voltage-gated ion channels is also administered to a patient, wherein the third compound is membrane permeable. Suitable compounds are provided above. The invention also features a method for identifying a compound as being useful for the treatment of pain and itch. This method includes the steps of: (a) contacting the external face of TRPVl, TRPAl, TRPM8, and/or P2X(2/3)-expressing neurons with: (i) a first compound that activates TRPVl TRPAl, TRPM8 or P2X(2/3) receptors; and (ii) a second compound that inhibits one or more voltage-gated ion channels when applied to the internal face of the channels but does not substantially inhibit the channels when applied to the external face of the channels, and (b) determining whether the second compound inhibits the voltage-gated ion channels in the neurons. In certain embodiments, a third compound that inhibits one or more voltage-gated ion channels is also administered to a patient, wherein the third compound is membrane permeable. Inhibition of voltage-gated ion channels by the second compound identifies the second compound as a compound that is useful for the treatment of pain and/or itch.

The methods, compositions, and kits can also be used to selectively block neuronal activity in other types of neurons that express different members of the TRPV, TRPA, TRPM, and P2X receptor families, where the first compound is an agonist of the particular TRPV, TRPA, TRPM, and P2X receptor present in those types of neurons, and the second compound is a sodium or calcium channel blocker that is normally membrane impermeant.

The methods, compositions, and kits of the invention allow for a block of pain or itch without altering light touch or motor control. For example, patients receiving an epidural will not have a complete loss of sensory input.

The term "pain" is used herein in the broadest sense and refers to all types of pain, including acute and chronic pain, such as nociceptive pain, e.g. somatic pain and visceral pain; inflammatory pain, dysfunctional pain, idiopathic pain, neuropathic pain, e.g., centrally generated pain and peripherally generated pain, migraine, and cancer pain.

The term "nociceptive pain" is used to include all pain caused by noxious stimuli that threaten to or actually injure body tissues, including, without limitation, by a cut, bruise, bone fracture, crush injury, burn, and the like. Pain receptors for tissue injury (nociceptors) are located mostly in the skin, musculoskeletal system, or internal organs.

The term "somatic pain" is used to refer to pain arising from bone, joint, muscle, skin, or connective tissue. This type of pain is typically well localized.

The term "visceral pain" is used herein to refer to pain arising from visceral organs, such as the respiratory, gastrointestinal tract and pancreas, the urinary tract and reproductive organs. Visceral pain includes pain caused by tumor involvement of the organ capsule. Another type of visceral pain, which is typically caused by obstruction of hollow viscus, is characterized by intermittent cramping and poorly localized pain. Visceral pain may be associated with inflammation as in cystitis or reflux esophagitis.

The term inflammatory pain includes pain associates with active inflammation that may be caused by trauma, surgery, infection and autoimmune diseases. The term "neuropathic pain" is used herein to refer to pain originating from abnormal processing of sensory input by the peripheral or central nervous system consequent on a lesion to these systems.

The term "procedural pain" refers to pain arising from a medical, dental or surgical procedure wherein the procedure is usually planned or associated with acute trauma.

The term "itch" is used herein in the broadest sense and refers to all types of itching and stinging sensations localized and generalized, acute intermittent and

persistent. The itch may be idiopathic, allergic, metabolic, infectious, drug-induced, due to liver, kidney disease, or cancer. "Pruritus" is severe itching.

By "patient" is meant any animal. In one embodiment, the patient is a human. Other animals that can be treated using the methods, compositions, and kits of the invention include but are not limited to non-human primates (e.g., monkeys, gorillas, chimpanzees), domesticated animals (e.g., horses, pigs, goats, rabbits, sheep, cattle, llamas), and companion animals (e.g., guinea pigs, rats, mice, lizards, snakes, dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, and birds).

Compounds useful in the invention include but are not limited to those described herein in any of their pharmaceutically acceptable forms, including isomers such as diastereomers and enantiomers, salts, esters, amides, thioesters, solvates, and polymorphs thereof, as well as racemic mixtures and pure isomers of the compounds described herein.

By "low molecular weight" is meant less than about 500 Daltons. The term "pharmaceutically acceptable salt" represents those salts which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans and lower animals without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response and the like, and are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are well known in the art. The salts can be prepared in situ during the final isolation and purification of the compounds of the invention, or separately by reacting the free base function with a suitable organic acid. Representative acid addition salts include but are not limited to acetate, adipate, alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bisulfate, borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphersulfonate, citrate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, hemisulfate, heptonate, hexanoate, hydrobromide, hydrochloride, hydroiodide, 2- hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, isethionate, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, lauryl sulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, mesylate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3- phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, thiocyanate, toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, valerate salts, and the like. Representative alkali or alkaline earth metal salts include but are not limited to sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the like, as well as nontoxic

ammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations, including, but not limited to ammonium, tetramethylammonium, tetraethylammonium, methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, triethylamine, ethylamine, and the like.

In the generic descriptions of compounds of this invention, the number of atoms of a particular type in a substituent group is generally given as a range, e.g., an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or C ₁ - ₄ alkyl. Reference to such a range is intended to include specific references to groups having each of the integer number of atoms within the specified range. For example, an alkyl group from 1 to 4 carbon atoms includes each Of C ₁ , C ₂ , C ₃ , and C ₄ . A Ci_i ₂ heteroalkyl, for example, includes from 1 to 12 carbon atoms in addition to one or more heteroatoms. Other numbers of atoms and other types of atoms may be indicated in a similar manner.

As used herein, the terms "alkyl" and the prefix "alk-" are inclusive of both straight chain and branched chain groups and of cyclic groups, i.e., cycloalkyl. Cyclic groups can be monocyclic or polycyclic and preferably have from 3 to 6 ring carbon atoms, inclusive. Exemplary cyclic groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, and cyclohexyl groups.

By "C ₁ - ₄ alkyl" is meant a a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. A Ci^ alkyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted. Exemplary substituents include alkoxy, aryloxy, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, halide, hydroxyl, fluoroalkyl, perfluoralkyl, amino, aminoalkyl, disubstituted amino, quaternary amino, hydroxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl, and carboxyl groups. Ci^ alkyls include, without limitation, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, and cyclobutyl.

By "C _2- 4 alkenyl" is meant a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon group containing one or more double bonds and having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms. A C ₂ ^ alkenyl may optionally include monocyclic or polycyclic rings, in which each ring desirably has from three to six members. The C ₂ _4 alkenyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted. Exemplary substituents include alkoxy, aryloxy, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, halide, hydroxyl, fluoroalkyl, perfluoralkyl, amino, aminoalkyl, disubstituted amino, quaternary amino, hydroxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl, and carboxyl groups. C ₂ -4 alkenyls include, without limitation, vinyl, allyl, 2-cyclopropyl-l- ethenyl, 1-propenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-methyl-l-propenyl, and 2- methyl-2-propenyl.

By "C ₂ _ ₄ alkynyl" is meant a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon group containing one or more triple bonds and having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms. A C ₂ _4 alkynyl may optionally include monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic rings, in which each ring desirably has five or six members. The C _2- 4 alkynyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted. Exemplary substituents include alkoxy, aryloxy, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, halide, hydroxy, fluoroalkyl, perfluoralkyl, amino, aminoalkyl, disubstituted amino, quaternary amino, hydroxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl, and carboxyl groups. C ₂ -4 alkynyls include, without limitation, ethynyl, 1 -propynyl, 2-propynyl, 1 -butynyl, 2- butynyl, and 3-butynyl. By "C ₂ _ ₆ heterocyclyl" is meant a stable 5- to 7-membered monocyclic or 7- to

14-membered bicyclic heterocyclic ring which is saturated partially unsaturated or unsaturated (aromatic), and which consists of 2 to 6 carbon atoms and 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms independently selected from N, O, and S and including any bicyclic group in which any of the above-defined heterocyclic rings is fused to a benzene ring. The heterocyclyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted. Exemplary substituents include alkoxy, aryloxy, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, halide, hydroxy, fluoroalkyl, perfluoralkyl, amino, aminoalkyl, disubstituted amino, quaternary amino, hydroxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl, and carboxyl groups. The nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may optionally be oxidized. The heterocyclic ring may be covalently attached via any heteroatom or carbon atom which results in a stable structure, e.g., an imidazolinyl ring may be linked at either of the ring-carbon atom positions or at the nitrogen atom. A nitrogen atom in the heterocycle may optionally be quaternized. Preferably when the total number of S and O atoms in the heterocycle exceeds 1 , then these heteroatoms are not adjacent to one another. Heterocycles include, without limitation, lH-indazole, 2-pyrrolidonyl, 2H,6H-l,5,2-dithiazinyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, 3H- indolyl, 4-piperidonyl, 4aH-carbazole, 4H-quinolizinyl, 6H-l,2,5-thiadiazinyl, acridinyl, azocinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, benzoxazolyl, benzthiazolyl, benztriazolyl, benztetrazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzimidazalonyl, carbazolyl, 4aH-carbazolyl, b-carbolinyl, chromanyl, chromenyl, cinnolinyl, decahydroquinolinyl, 2H,6H-l,5,2-dithiazinyl, dihydrofuro[2,3-b]tetrahydrofuran, furanyl, furazanyl, imidazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolyl, lH-indazolyl, indolenyl, indolinyl, indolizinyl, indolyl, isobenzofuranyl, isochromanyl, isoindazolyl, isoindolinyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolinyl, isothiazolyl,

isoxazolyl, moφholinyl, naphthyridinyl, octahydroisoquinolinyl, oxadiazolyl, 1,2,3- oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, oxazolidinyl, oxazolyl, oxazolidinylperimidinyl, phenanthridinyl, phenanthrolinyl, phenarsazinyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxathiinyl, phenoxazinyl, phthalazinyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pteridinyl, piperidonyl, 4-piperidonyl, pteridinyl, purinyl, pyranyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyridooxazole, pyridoimidazole, pyridothiazole, pyridinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, 4H-quinolizinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinuclidinyl, carbolinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, 6H-l,2,5-thiadiazinyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1 ,2,4-thiadiazolyl,

1,2,5-thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, thianthrenyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, thienothiazolyl, thienooxazolyl, thienoimidazolyl, thiophenyl, triazinyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1 ,2,4-triazolyl, 1,2,5-triazolyl, 1,3,4-triazolyl, xanthenyl. Preferred 5 to 10 membered heterocycles include, but are not limited to, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, triazinyl, furanyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, tetrazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiofuranyl, indolyl, benzimidazolyl, 1 H-indazolyl, oxazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl, benzotriazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, oxindolyl; benzoxazolinyl, quinolinyl, and isoquinolinyl. Preferred 5 to 6 membered heterocycles include, without limitation, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, triazinyl, furanyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, pyrrolyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, and tetrazolyl.

By "C ₆ - _J2 aryl" is meant an aromatic group having a ring system comprised of carbon atoms with conjugated π electrons (e.g., phenyl). The aryl group has from 6 to 12 carbon atoms. Aryl groups may optionally include monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic rings, in which each ring desirably has five or six members. The aryl group may be substituted or unsubstituted. Exemplary substituents include alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, aryloxy, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, halide, fluoroalkyl, carboxyl, hydroxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl, amino, aminoalkyl, monosubstituted amino, disubstituted amino, and quaternary amino groups.

By "C ₇ - _I4 alkaryl" is meant an alkyl substituted by an aryl group (e.g., benzyl, phenethyl, or 3,4-dichlorophenethyl) having from 7 to 14 carbon atoms.

By "C ₃ - _I0 alkheterocyclyl" is meant an alkyl substituted heterocyclic group having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms in addition to one or more heteroatoms

(e.g., 3-furanylmethyl, 2-furanylmethyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, or 2-tetrahydrofuranylmethyl).

By "Ci_ ₇ heteroalkyl" is meant a branched or unbranched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl group having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms in addition to 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, and P. Heteroalkyls include, without limitation, tertiary amines, secondary amines, ethers, thioethers, amides, thioamides, carbamates, thiocarbamates, hydrazones, imines, phosphodiesters, phosphoramidates, sulfonamides, and disulfides. A heteroalkyl may optionally include monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic rings, in which each ring desirably has three to six members. The heteroalkyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted.

Exemplary substituents include alkoxy, aryloxy, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, halide, hydroxyl, fluoroalkyl, perfluoralkyl, amino, aminoalkyl, disubstituted amino, quaternary amino, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl, and carboxyl groups. Examples of Ci_ ₇ heteroalkyls include, without limitation, methoxymethyl and ethoxy ethyl.

By "halide" is meant bromine, chlorine, iodine, or fluorine.

By "fluoroalkyl" is meant an alkyl group that is substituted with a fluorine atom.

By "perfluoroalkyl" is meant an alkyl group consisting of only carbon and fluorine atoms.

By "carboxyalkyl" is meant a chemical moiety with the formula -(R)-COOH, wherein R is selected from Ci_ ₇ alkyl, C ₂ _ ₇ alkenyl, C ₂ _ ₇ alkynyl, C ₂ - ₆ heterocyclyl, C ₆ -I ₂ aryl, C ₇ _i4 alkaryl, C ₃ _i ₀ alkheterocyclyl, or Ci_ ₇ heteroalkyl.

By "hydroxyalkyl" is meant a chemical moiety with the formula -(R)-OH, wherein R is selected from Ci_ ₇ alkyl, C ₂ - ₇ alkenyl, C ₂ - ₇ alkynyl, C ₂ _ ₆ heterocyclyl, C ₆ - _I2 aryl, C ₇ _i ₄ alkaryl, C ₃ - _I0 alkheterocyclyl, or Ci_ ₇ heteroalkyl.

By "alkoxy" is meant a chemical substituent of the formula -OR, wherein R is selected from C]_ ₇ alkyl, C ₂ - ₇ alkenyl, C ₂ _ ₇ alkynyl, C ₂ - ₆ heterocyclyl, C ₆ - _I2 aryl, C ₇ _ _H alkaryl, C ₃ _i ₀ alkheterocyclyl, or Ci_ ₇ heteroalkyl. By "aryloxy" is meant a chemical substituent of the formula -OR, wherein R is a C ₆ - _I2 aryl group.

By "alkylthio" is meant a chemical substituent of the formula -SR, wherein R is selected from Ci_ ₇ alkyl, C ₂ _ ₇ alkenyl, C2-7 alkynyl, C ₂ - ₆ heterocyclyl, C ₆ - _I2 aryl, C ₇ - _I4 alkaryl, C ₃ _i ₀ alkheterocyclyl, or Ci_ ₇ heteroalkyl.

By "arylthio" is meant a chemical substituent of the formula -SR, wherein R is a C ₆ -I ₂ aryl group.

By "quaternary amino" is meant a chemical substituent of the formula -(R)-N(R')(R")(R'") ⁺ , wherein R, R', R", and R'" are each independently an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or aryl group. R may be an alkyl group linking the quaternary amino nitrogen atom, as a substituent, to another moiety. The nitrogen atom, N, is covalently attached to four carbon atoms of alkyl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, and/or aryl groups, resulting in a positive charge at the nitrogen atom.

By "charged moiety" is meant a moiety which gains a proton at physiological pH thereby becoming positively charged (e.g., ammonium, guanidinium, or amidinium) or a moiety that includes a net formal positive charge without protonation (e.g., quaternary ammonium). The charged moiety may be either permanently charged or transiently charged.

As used herein, the term "parent" refers to a channel blocking compound which can be modified by quaternization or guanylation of an amine nitrogen atom present in the parent compound. The quaternized and guanylated compounds are derivatives of the parent compound. The guanidyl derivatives described herein are presented in their uncharged base form. These compounds can be administered either as a salt (i.e., an acid addition salt) or in their uncharged base form, which undergoes protonation in situ to form a charged moiety.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawing

Figure 1. Co-application of extracellular QX-314 (5mM) and capsaicin (1 μM) selectively blocks sodium currents in capsaicin-responsive dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons, (a) Effect on sodium current (elicited by a step to from -70 to -5 mV) of 10 minutes wash-in of 5 mM QX-314 alone (red trace), 1 μM capsaicin alone (green trace), and co-applied 5mM QX-314 and 1 μM capsaicin (blue trace) in a small (24 μm) capsaicin-sensitive adult cultured DRG neuron. Top panel: Brief

application of capsaicin induced a prolonged inward current (holding voltage of -70 mV) in this neuron, (b) Effect on sodium current of the same series of drug applications on a large (52 μm) capsaicin-insensitive neuron, (c) Peak inward current as a function of test pulse recorded in control (black symbols), in the presence of 5mM QX-314 alone (red symbols), 1 μM capsaicin alone (green symbols), and co- applied 5mM QX-314 and 1 μM capsaicin (blue symbols). Symbols show mean ± SEM for experiments on 25 small capsaicin-sensitive neurons. Currents were elicited by 20 ms depolarizing steps from a holding potential of -70 mV to a range of test potentials in 5 mV increments, (d) Time course of the effect of combination of capsaicin and QX-314 on peak sodium current. Bars plot mean ± SEM for peak sodium current normalized relative to that in control (n=25).

Figure 2. Co-application of QX-314 and capsaicin blocks excitability in nociceptive-like DRG neurons, (a) A depolarizing current step (250 pA, 4 ms) applied to a small (23 μm) DRG neuron evoked a nociceptor-like broad action potential with a prominent deflection on the falling phase (arrow). A two minute wash-in of QX-314 (5 mM) had no effect (second panel). Capsaicin (1 μM) reduced the action potential amplitude (third panel), probably due to a combination of the modest reduction of sodium current produced by capsaicin as shown in Figure 1 and inactivation of sodium current secondary to the depolarization produced by capsaicin. Co-applied QX-314 and capsaicin completely abolished action potential generation even with much larger stimulating current injection, (b) Mean ± SEM of action potential amplitudes (n=25 for QX-314, n=15 for capsaicin and capsaicin + QX-314). Figure 3. Intraplantar injection of capsaicin (10 μg/10 μL) together with QX- 314 (2%, 10 μL) leads to a prolonged local anesthesia to mechanical (von Frey filaments) and thermal noxious stimuli, (a) Mechanical threshold for paw withdrawal in response to von Frey hairs of increasing strength after interplantar injection of QX - 314 alone (2%, 10 μL; green symbols), capsaicin alone (10 μg/10 μL; black symbols), or QX-314 and capsaicin applied together (red symbols). Number of animals that did not respond at all to the highest value (57 g, arrow) is indicated for time points with largest effects. (* = p<0.05, n=6 for each group), (b) Same for thermal (radiant heat) threshold for paw withdrawal. Arrow indicates cutoff, and numbers of animals not responding to strongest stimulus is indicated for time points with largest effects. (* = p<0.05, n=6 for each group).

Figure 4. Injection of QX-314 followed by capsaicin adjacent to the sciatic nerve anesthetized the hind limbs of the animals to noxious mechanical and thermal stimuli without producing any motor deficit, (a) Mechanical threshold for paw withdrawal in response to von Frey filaments of increasing strength after sciatic injection of QX-314 alone (0.2%, 100 μL), capsaicin alone (0.5 μg/μL, 100 μL), or QX-314 injected 10 minutes before capsaicin. Number of animals that did not respond at all to the highest value (57 g, arrow) is indicated for time points with largest effects. (* = p<0.05, ** = p< 0.01, n=6 for each group), (b) Same for thermal (radiant heat) threshold for paw withdrawal, (c). Change in motor function (score: 2 = full paralysis; 1 = partial paralysis; 0 = no impairment) evaluated after sciatic injection of lidocaine (2%; 0.2%), QX-314 (0.2%), capsaicin (5 μg/10 μL) and QX- 314 followed by capsaicin injection. Numbers of animals affected by the injections are indicated above each column.

Figure 5. Voltage clamp recordings of sodium channel current in small dorsal root ganglion neurons. The data show that eugenol alone has a modest inhibitory effect on sodium current (10-20% inhibition). Co-application of eugenol and QX-314 produces progressive block that can be complete after 7 minutes. Two examples are depicted, which are representative of 10 experiments with similar results.

Figure 6. Co-application of the TRPA agonist mustard oil (MO) (50 μM) and QX-314 (5 mM). MO alone reduces sodium current by 20-30% and reaches a plateau after approximately 3 minutes. Co-application of MO and QX-314 reduced sodium current dramatically.

Figure 7. Co-application of lidocaine, a membrane permeable sodium channel inhibitor, with QX-314 and capsaicin, (a) Thermal latency (radiant heat) threshold for paw withdrawal after sciatic injection of QX-314 alone (2%), lidocaine alone (1%), or QX-314 and lidocaine co-injection, (b) Mechanical threshold for paw withdrawal in response to von Frey filaments of increasing strength after sciatic injection of QX-314 alone (2%), lidocaine alone (1%), or QX-314 and lidocaine co-injection, (c) Thermal latency (radiant heat) threshold for paw withdrawal after sciatic injection of lidocaine alone (1%), QX-314 alone (2%), lidocaine and QX-314 co-injection, and capsaicin (lμg/lOμL), lidocaine, and QX-314 co-injection, (d) Mechanical threshold for paw withdrawal in response to von Frey filaments of increasing strength after sciatic injection of lidocaine alone (1%), QX-314 alone (2%), lidocaine and QX-314

co-injection, and capsaicin (lμg/lOμL), lidocaine, and QX-314 co-injection. Numbers of animals showing a complete block in nociception by the injections are indicated above each column.

Figure 8. Capsaicin elicits an acute pain-related response immediately following injection into the hindpaw, measured as flinches. This lasts for approximately 15 min. following injection. The combination of capsaicin and QX- 314 does not block the acute pain-evoking response produced by the capsaicin although this is then followed by a long-lasting analgesia. Conversely, injection of a combination of capsaicin, QX-314, and lidocaine provides robust analgesia, including blockade of the acute pain-evoking response elicited by capsaicin alone.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Voltage-dependent ion channels in pain-sensing neurons are currently of great interest in developing drugs to treat pain. Blocking voltage-dependent sodium channels in pain-sensing neurons can block pain signals by interrupting initiation and transmission of the action potential, and blocking calcium channels can prevent neurotransmission of the pain signal to the second order neuron in the spinal cord. Heretofore, a limitation in designing small organic molecules that block sodium channels or calcium channels is that they must be active when applied externally to the target cell. The vast majority of such externally-applied molecules are hydrophobic and can pass through membranes. Because of this, they will enter all cells and thus have no selectivity for affecting only pain-sensing neurons. Yet, some blockers are known, such as QX-314, that are only effective when present inside the cell. To date, such blockers have been studied primarily with electrophysiological recording techniques such as whole-cell patch clamp that permit dialysis of the inside of a cell by mechanical rupturing of the membrane. The difficulty of mechanical rupturing without killing the cell, and the difficulty of reversibly applying blockers inside the cell subsequently, has precluded development of high-throughput screening assays for drug molecules that might act from inside cells.

We have discovered a means for delivering inhibitors of voltage-gated ion channels into nociceptive neurons. By providing a way for these inhibitors to enter nociceptive neurons, the invention permits the use — both in screening and in therapy — of entire classes of molecules that are active as drug blockers from the inside of cell but need not be membrane-permeant. Moreover, confining the entry of

such blockers to pain-sensing neurons under therapeutic conditions allows for the use of drugs that do not necessarily have intrinsic selectivity for ion channels in pain- sensing neurons compared to other types of cells, but rather gain their selective action on pain-sensing neurons by being allowed to enter pain-sensing neurons in preference to other cells in the nervous and cardiovascular system. Additionally, since TRPVl receptors in particular are often more active in tissue conditions associated with pain (such as inflammation), entry is favored to the particular sensory neurons most associated with tissues that are generating pain. Itch-senstive primary sensory neurons also express TRP channels, particularly TRPVl, and are also be amenable to this approach.

The invention is described in more detail below.

Inhibitors of voltage-gated ion channels

Compounds that act as inhibitors of voltage-gated ion channels when applied to the internal face of the channels but do not substantially inhibit the channels when applied to the external face of the channels and that are suitable for use in the methods, compositions, and kits of the invention are desirably positively-charged, hydrophilic compounds. In one embodiment, the compounds are permanently charged (i.e., have a charge that is not transient). In another embodiment, the compounds are transiently or fractionally charged. Suitable inhibitors of voltage- gated sodium channels include but are not limited to QX-314, N-methyl-procaine (QX-222), N-octyl-guanidine, 9-aminoacridine, and pancuronium. Suitable inhibitors of voltage-gated calcium channels include but are not limited to D-890 (quaternary methoxyverapamil) and CERM 1 1888 (quaternary bepridil). Additionally, there are many known inhibitors of voltage-gated ion channels that would be of a suitable size to be useful in the methods of the invention (e.g., from about 100 to 4,000 Da, 100 to 3,000 Da, 100 to 2,000 Da, 150 to 1,500 Da, or even 200 to 1,200 Da) and that have amine groups, or can be modified to contain amine groups, that can be readily modified to be charged (e.g., as positively-charged quarternary amines, or as transiently charged guanylated compounds). Such inhibitors include but are not limited to riluzole, mexilitine, phenytoin, carbamazepine, procaine, tocainide, prilocaine, diisopyramide, bencyclane, quinidine, bretylium,

lifarizine, lamotrigine, flunarizine, articaine, bupivicaine, mepivicaine, and fluspirilene.

Compounds that can be used in the compositions, kits, and methods of the invention include compounds of formulas I-X, below.

In formula I, each of R ^1A , R ^{1 B} , and R ^1C is, independently, selected from H, halogen, C _1-4 alkyl, C ₂ _4 alkenyl, C _2-4 alkynyl, OR ^1H , NR ^U R ^1J , NR ^1K C(O)R ^1L , S(O)R ^1M , SO ₂ R ^IN R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ NR ^{1 P} R ^1Q , SO ₃ R ^{1 R} , CO ₂ R ^1S , C(O)R ^1T , and C(O)NR ^{1 U} R ^1V ; and each of R ^1H , R ¹¹ , R ^1J , R ^1K , R ^{1 L} , R ^{1 M} , R ^1N , R ¹⁰ , R ^{1 P} , R ^1Q , R ^1R , R ^{1 S} , R ^1T , R ^!U , and R ^{1 V} is, independently, selected from from H, Ci _-4 alkyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkenyl, C ₂ ^ alkynyl, and C _2-4 heteroalkyl X ¹ is selected from -CR ^{1 W} R ^1X -, -NR ^1Y C(O)-, -OC(O)-, -SC(O)-, -C(O)NR ¹² -, -CO ₂ -, and -OC(S)-; and each of R ^{1 W} , R ^1X , R ^1Y , and R ^1Z is, independently, selected from H, Ci _-4 alkyl, C _2-4 alkenyl, C ₂ ^ alkynyl, and C _2-4 heteroalkyl; R ^{! D} is selected from H, alkenyl, C _2-4 alkynyl, and C _2-4 heteroalkyl; and each of R ^{1 E} , R ^{I F} , and R ^1G is, independently, selected from Ci _-4 alkyl, C _2-4 alkenyl, C ₂ _4 alkynyl, and C _2^t heteroalkyl; or R ^{1 D} and R ^!G together complete a heterocyclic ring having at least one nitrogen atom. In a preferred embodiment, X ¹ is -NHC(O)-. Exemplary compounds of formula I include methylated quaternary ammonium derivatives of anesthetic drugs, such as N-methyl lidocaine, N,N-dimethyl prilocaine, N,N,N-trimethyl tocainide, N-methyl etidocaine, N-methyl ropivacaine, N- methyl bupivacaine, N-methyl levobupivacaine, N-methyl mepivacaine. These derivatives can be prepared using methods analogous to those described in Scheme 1. Compounds of formula I include QX-314 (CAS 21306-56-9) and QX-222 (CAS 21236-55-5) (below).

QX-314 QX-222

In formula II, each of R ^2A ,R ^2B , and R ^2C is, independently, selected from H, halogen, C ₁ - ₄ alkyl, C _2-4 alkenyl, C _2-4 alkynyl, OR ²¹ , NR ^2J R ^2K , NR ^2L C(O)R ^2M , S(O)R ^2N , SO ₂ R ^2O R ^2P , SO ₂ NR ^2Q R ^2R , SO ₃ R ^2S , CO ₂ R ^21" , C(O)R ^2U , and C(O)NR ^2V R ^2W ; and each of R ²¹ , R ^2J , R ^2K , R ^2L , R ^2M , R ^2N , R ²⁰ , R ^2P , R ^2Q , R ^2R , R ^2S , R ^2T , R ^2U , R ^2V , R ^2W is, independently, selected from H, C ₁ - ₄ alkyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkenyl, C _2-4 alkynyl, and C ₂ ^ heteroalkyl; X ² is selected from -CR ^2X R ^2Y -, -NR ²² C(O)-, -OC(O)-, -SC(O)-, - C(0)NR ^2AA -, -CO ₂ -, and -OC(S)-; and each of R ^2X , R ^2Y , R ^2Z , and R ^2AA is, independently, selected from H, Ci^ alkyl, C _2-4 alkenyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkynyl, and C _2-4 heteroalkyl ;R ^2D is selected from H, C ₁ - ₄ alkyl, C _2-4 alkenyl, C _2^ t alkynyl, and C ₂ _ ₄ heteroalkyl; R ^2E is H or Ci _-4 alkyl; and each of R ^2F , R ^2G , and R ^2H is, independently, selected from H, Ci _-4 alkyl, C ₂ ^ alkenyl, C ₂ ^ alkynyl, and C _2-4 heteroalkyl; or R ^2F and R ^2G together complete a heterocyclic ring having two nitrogen atoms. Where R ^2F and R form a heterocyclic ring having two nitrogen atoms, the resulting guanidine group is, desirably, selected from

where R ^2H is H or CH ₃ . Desirably, R ^2F and R ^2G combine to form an alkylene or alkenylene of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, e.g., ring systems of 5, 6, and 7-membered rings. In a preferred embodiment, X ² is -NHC(O)-. Exemplary compounds of formula II include N-guanidyl derivatives (e.g., -C(NH)NH ₂ derivatives) of anesthetic drugs, such as desethyl-N-guanidyl lidocaine, N-guanidyl prilocaine, N-guanidyl tocainide, desethyl-N-guanidyl etidocaine, desbutyl-N-guanidyl ropivacaine, desbutyl-N-guanidyl bupivacaine, desbutyl-N-guanidyl levobupivacaine, desmethyl- N-guanidyl mepivacaine. These derivatives can be prepared using methods analogous to those described in Schemes 2-5.

The guanidyl derivatives described herein (e.g., the compounds of formula II) are presented in their uncharged base form. These compounds can be administered

either as a salt (i.e., an acid addition salt) or in their uncharged base form, which undergoes protonation in situ to form a charged moiety.

The synthesis of parent drugs of formulas I and II are described in the literature. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 2,441,498 (synthesis of lidocaine), U.S. Patent No. 3,160,662 (synthesis of prilocaine), DE Patent No. 2235745 (synthesis of tocainide), DE Patent No. 2162744 (synthesis of etidocaine), PCT Publication No. WO85/00599 (synthesis of ropivacaine), U.S. Patent No. 2,955,111 (synthesis of bupivacaine and levobupivacaine), and U.S. Patent No. 2,799,679 (synthesis of mepivacaine).

In formula III, n = 0-3 and m = 0-3, with (n+m) = 0-6; each of R ^3A , R ^3B , and R ^3C is, independently, selected from H, halogen, C ₁ - ₄ alkyl, C _2-4 alkenyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkynyl, C _2-4 heteroalkyl, OR ^3L , NR ^3M R ^3N , NR ^3O C(O)R ^3P , S(O)R ^3Q , SO ₂ R ^3R R ^3S , SO ₂ NR ^3T R ^3U , SO ₃ R ^3V , CO ₂ R ^3W , C(O)R ^3X , and C(O)NR ^3Y R ^3Z ; and each of R ^3L , R ^3M , R ^3N , R ³ °, R ^3P , R ^3Q , R ^3R , R ^3S , R ^3T , R ^3U , R ^3V , R ^3W , R ^3X , R ^3Y , R ^3Z is, independently, selected from H, C i_ ₄ alkyl, C ₂ - ₄ alkenyl, C _2-4 alkynyl, and C ₂ - ₄ heteroalkyl; Y ³ is selected from from - CR ^3AA R ^3AB -, -NR ^3AC C(O)-, -OC(O)-, -SC(O)-, -C(O)NR ^3AD -, -CO ₂ -, and -

OC(S)-; and each of R ^3AA , R ^3AB , R ^3AC , and R ^3AD is, independently, selected from H, Ci_ ₄ alkyl, C ₂ ^ alkenyl, C _2-4 alkynyl, and C ₂ ^ heteroalkyl; each of R ^3D , R ^3E , R ^3F , and R ³ is, independently, selected from H, Ci _-4 alkyl, C _2-4 alkenyl, C _2-4 alkynyl, C _2-4 heteroalkyl, C ₂ - ₆ heterocyclyl, C ₆ - _I2 aryl, C ₇ _i ₄ alkaryl, and C ₃ _i ₀ alkheterocyclyl; each of R ^3H , R ^3J , and R ^3K is, independently, selected from Ci _-4 alkyl, C _2-4 alkenyl, C _2- . ₄ alkynyl, and C _2-4 heteroalkyl. The quaternary nitrogen in formula III is identified herein as N'. Exemplary compounds of formula III include methylated quaternary ammonium derivatives of anesthetic drugs, such as N'-methyl procaine, N' -methyl proparacaine, N'-methyl allocain, N'-methyl encainide, N'-methyl procainamide, N'- methyl metoclopramide, N'-methyl stovaine, N'-methyl propoxycaine, N'-methyl

chloroprocaine, N',N'-dimethyl flecainide, and N'-methyl tetracaine. These derivatives can be prepared using methods analogous to those described in Scheme 1.

In formula IV, n = 0-3 and m = 0-3, with (n+m) = 0-6; each of R ^4A and R ^4B is, independently, selected from H, halogen, Ci^ alkyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkenyl, C ₂ - ₄ alkynyl, C ₂ - ₄ heteroalkyl, OR ^4L , NR ^4M R ^4N , NR ^4O C(O)R ^4P , S(O)R ^4Q , SO ₂ R ^4R R ^4S , SO ₂ NR ^4T R ^4U , SO ₃ R ^4V , CO ₂ R ^4W , C(O)R ^4X , and C(O)NR ^4Y R ^4Z ; and each of R ^4L , R ^4M R ^4N , R ⁴ °, R ^4P ,

R ⁴ Q _{R4RJ R4S; R} 4T _{; R4U> R} 4V _{; R} 4 _{WJ R} 4X _{? R} 4Y _? ^ _R 4Z ^ _{independentlVj selected from} H, Ci- ₄ alkyl, C ₂ - ₄ alkenyl, C ₂ - ₄ alkynyl, and C _2^t heteroalkyl; Y ⁴ is selected from - CR ^4AA R ^4AB -, -NR ^4AC C(O)-, -OC(O)-, -SC(O)-, -C(0)NR ^4AD -, -CO ₂ -, and -OC(S)-; and each of R ^4AA , R ^4AB , R ^4AC , and R ^4AD is, independently, selected from H, C _1-4 alkyl, C2-4 alkenyl, C ₂ -A alkynyl, and C ₂ _4 heteroalkyl ;each of R ^4C , R ^4D , R ^4E , and R ^4F is, independently, selected from H, C ₁ - ₄ alkyl, C _2-4 alkenyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkynyl, C _2^t heteroalkyl, C ₂ _ ₆ heterocyclyl, C ₆ -I ₂ aryl, C ₇ _i ₄ alkaryl, and C ₃ _i ₀ alkheterocyclyl; X ⁴ is selected from H, Ci _-4 alkyl, C _2-4 alkenyl, C _2-4 alkynyl, and NR ^4J R ^4K ; each of R ^4J and R ^4K is, independently, selected from H, alkyl, C _2^ t alkenyl, C ₂ -4 alkynyl, and C _2-4 heteroalkyl; and each of R ⁴ , R ^4H , and R ⁴¹ is, independently, selected from Ci _-4 alkyl, C _2-4 alkenyl, C _2-4 alkynyl, and C _2-4 heteroalkyl . The quaternary nitrogen in formula IV is identified herein as N". Exemplary compounds of formula III include methylated quaternary ammonium derivatives of anesthetic drugs, such as N",N",N"- trimethyl procaine, N",N",N"-trimethyl proparacaine, N",N",N"-trimethyl procainamide, N",N",N"-trimethyl metoclopramide, N",N",N"-trimethyl propoxycaine, N",N",N"-trimethyl chloroprocaine, N",N"-dimethyl tetracaine, N",N",N"-trimethyl benzocaine, and N",N",N"-trimethyl butamben. These derivatives can be prepared using methods analogous to those described in Scheme 1.

In formula V, n = 0-3 and m = 0-3, with (n+m) = 0-6; each of R ^5A , R ^5B , and R is, independently, selected from H, halogen, C ₁ - ₄ alkyl, C ₂ ^ alkenyl, C ₂ - ₄ alkynyl, C _2-4 heteroalkyl, OR ^5M , NR ^5N R ⁵ °, NR ^5P C(O)R ^5Q , S(O)R ^5R , SO ₂ R ^5S R ^5T , SO ₂ NR ^5U R ^5V , SO ₃ R ^5W , CO ₂ R ^5X , C(O)R ^5Y , and C(O)NR ^5Z R ^5AA ; and each of R ^5M , R ^5N , R ⁵⁰ , R ^5P , R ^5Q , R ^5R , R ^5S , R ^5T , R ^5U , R ^5V , R ^5W , R ^5X , R ^5Y , R ^5Z , and R ^5AA is, independently, selected from H, C ₁ - ₄ alkyl, C _2^ t alkenyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkynyl, and C _2^ t heteroalkyl; Y ⁵ is selected from - CR ^5AB R ^5AC -, -NR ^5AD C(O)-, -OC(O)-, -SC(O)-, -C(O)NR ^5AE -, -CO ₂ -, and -OC(S)-; and each of R ^5AB , R ^5AC , R ^5AD , and R ^5AE is, independently, selected from H, Ci_ ₄ alkyl, C _2-4 alkenyl, C ₂ ^ alkynyl, and C ₂ _ ₄ heteroalkyl; each of R ^5D , R ^5E , R ^5F , and R ^5G is, independently, selected from H, alkyl, C _2-4 alkenyl, C ₂ - ₄ alkynyl, C _2-4 heteroalkyl, C ₂ _ό heterocyclyl, C ₆ - _I2 aryl, C ₇ _i ₄ alkaryl, and C ₃ _i ₀ alkheterocyclyl; R ^5H is H or Ci _-4 alkyl; and each of R ^5J , R ^5K , and R ^5L is, independently, selected from H, Ci _-4 alkyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkenyl, C _2-4 alkynyl, and C _2-4 heteroalkyl; or R ^5J and R ^5K together complete a heterocyclic ring having two nitrogen atoms. Where R ^5J and R ^5K form a heterocyclic ring having two nitrogen atoms, the resulting guanidine group is, desirably, selected from

where R ^5L is H or CH ₃ . Desirably, R ^5J and R ^5K combine to form an alkylene or alkenylene of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, e.g., ring systems of 5, 6, and 7-membered rings. The guanylated nitrogen in formula V is identified herein as N'. Exemplary compounds of formula V include N-guanidyl derivatives (e.g., -C(NH)NH ₂ derivatives) of anesthetic drugs, such as such as desethyl-N'-guanidyl procaine, desethyl-N'-guanidyl proparacaine, desethyl-N'-guanidyl allocain, desmethyl-N'- guanidyl encainide, desethyl-N'-guanidyl procainamide, desethyl-N'-guanidyl metoclopramide, desmethyl-N' -guanidyl stovaine, desethyl-N'-guanidyl propoxycaine, desethyl-N'-guanidyl chloroprocaine, N'-guanidyl flecainide, and

desethyl-N'-guanidyl tetracaine. These derivatives can be prepared using methods analogous to those described in Schemes 2-5.

In formula VI, n = 0-3 and m = 0-3, with (n+m) = 0-6; each of R ^6A and R ^6B is, independently, selected from H, halogen, C ₁ - ₄ alkyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkenyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkynyl, C _2-4 heteroalkyl, OR ^6K , NR ^6L R ^6M , NR ^6N C(O)R ⁶ °, S(O)R ^6P , SO ₂ R ^6Q R ^6R , SO ₂ NR ^6S R ^6T , SO ₃ R ^6U , CO ₂ R ^6V , C(O)R ^6W , and C(O)NR ^6X R ^6Y ; and each of R ^6K ,R ^6L , R ^6M , R ^6N , R ⁶⁰ , R ^6P , R ^6Q , R ^6R , R ^6S , R ^6T , R ^6U , R ^6V , R ^6W , R ^6X , and R ^6Y is, independently, selected from H, Ci- ₄ alkyl, C _2-4 alkenyl, C ₂ ^ ₄ alkynyl, and C _2^ t heteroalkyl; Y is selected from - CR ^6Z R ^6AA -, -NR ^6AB C(O)-, -OC(O)-, -SC(O)-, -C(O)NR ^6AC -, -CO ₂ -, and -OC(S)-; and each of R ^6Z , R ^6AA , R ^6AB , and R ^6AC is, independently, selected from H, C,_ ₄ alkyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkenyl, C _2-4 alkynyl, and C _2^ , heteroalkyl; each of R ^6C , R ^6D , R ^6E , and R ^6F is, independently, selected from H, C ₁ - ₄ alkyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkenyl, C _2-4 alkynyl, C ₂ _ ₄ heteroalkyl, C ₂ _ ₆ heterocyclyl, C ₆ - _I2 aryl, C ₇ - _I4 alkaryl, and C ₃ - _I0 alkheterocyclyl; X ⁶ is selected from H, C ₁ - ₄ alkyl, C ₂ ^ alkenyl, C _2^ , alkynyl, and NR ^6AD R6 ^AE ; each of R ^6AD and R ^6AE is, independently, selected from H, C ₁ - ₄ alkyl, C _2^t alkenyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkynyl, and C _2-4 heteroalkyl; R ^6G is H or C^ alkyl; and each of R ^6H , R ⁶¹ , and R ^6J is, independently, selected from H, Ci _-4 alkyl, C _2-4 alkenyl, C ₂ ^ alkynyl, and C _2^ t heteroalkyl; or R ^6H and R ⁶¹ together complete a heterocyclic ring having two nitrogen atoms. Where R ^6H and R ⁶¹ form a heterocyclic ring having two nitrogen atoms, the resulting guanidine group is, desirably, selected from

where R ^6J is H or CH ₃ . Desirably, R ^6H and R ⁶¹ combine to form an alkylene or alkenylene of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, e.g., ring systems of 5, 6, and 7-membered rings. The guanylated nitrogen in formula V is identified herein as N". Exemplary compounds of formula VI include N-guanidyl derivatives (e.g., -C(NH)NH ₂

derivatives) of anesthetic drugs, such as such as N"-guanidyl procaine, N"-guanidyl proparacaine, N"-guanidyl procainamide, N"-guanidyl metoclopramide, N"-guanidyl propoxycaine, N"-guanidyl chloroprocaine, N"-guanidyl tetracaine, N"-guanidyl benzocaine, and N"-guanidyl butamben. These derivatives can be prepared using methods analogous to those described in Schemes 2-5.

The synthesis of parent drugs of formulas III-VI is described in the literature. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 812,554 (synthesis of procaine), Clinton et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 74:592 (1952) (synthesis of proparacaine), U.S. Patent No. 2,689,248 (synthesis of propoxycaine), Hadicke et al, Pharm. Zentralh. 94:384 (1955) (synthesis of chloroprocaine), U.S. Patent No. 1,889,645 (synthesis of tetracaine), Salkowski et al., Ber. 28:1921 (1895) (synthesis of benzocaine), Brill et al., J Am. Chem. Soc. 43:1322 (1921) (synthesis of butamben), U.S. Patent No. 3,931,195 (synthesis of encainide), Yamazaki et al., J. Pharm. Soc. Japan 73:294 (1953) (synthesis of procainamide), U.S. Patent No. 3,177,252 (synthesis of metoclopramide), U.S. Patent No. 3,900,481 (synthesis of flecainide), and Fourneau et al., Bull. Sci. Pharmacol. 35:273 (1928) (synthesis of stovaine).

In formula VII, , and

TC

R is, independently, selected from H, halogen, Ci^ alkyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkenyl, C ₂ ^ alkynyl, C ₂ _ ₄ heteroalkyl, OR ^7L , NR ^7M R ^7N , NR ^7O C(O)R ^7P , S(O)R ^7Q , SO ₂ R ^7R R ^7S , SO ₂ NR ^7T R ^7U , SO ₃ R ^7V , CO ₂ R ^7W , C(O)R ^7X , and C(O)NR ^7Y R ^7Z ; and each of R ^7L ,R ^7M , R ^7N , R ⁷⁰ , R ^7P , R ^7Q , R ^7R , R ^7S , R ^7T , R ^7U , R ^7V , R ^7W , R ^7X , R ^7Y , and R ^7Z is, independently, selected from H, Ci _^4 alkyl, C ₂ - ₄ alkenyl, C ₂ ^ alkynyl, and C _2-4 heteroalkyl; X ⁷ is selected from - CR ^7AA R ^7AB -, -NR ^7AC C(O)-, -OC(O)-, -SC(O)-, -C(O)NR ^7AD -, -CO ₂ -, and - OC(S)-; and each of R ^7AA , R ^7AB , R ^7AC , and R ^7AD is, independently, selected from H, Ci _-4 alkyl, C ₂ - _A alkenyl, C _2-4 alkynyl, and C _2-4 heteroalkyl; each of R ^7D , R ^7E , R ^7F , and

1C

R is, independently, selected from H, Ci_ ₄ alkyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkenyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkynyl, C ₂ _ ₄ heteroalkyl, C ₂ _ ₆ heterocyclyl, C ₆ - _I2 aryl, C ₇ _i ₄ alkaryl, and C ₃ _i ₀ alkheterocyclyl; and each of R ^7H , R ^7j , and R ^7K is, independently, selected from Ci _-4 alkyl, C _2-4 alkenyl,

C _2-4 alkynyl, and C ₂ - ₄ heteroalkyl. In a preferred embodiment, X ⁷ is -C(O)NH-. Exemplary compounds of formula VII include methylated quaternary ammonium derivatives of anesthetic drugs, such as N' -methyl dibucaine. These derivatives can be prepared using methods analogous to those described in Scheme 1.

In formula VIII, n = 0-3 and m = 0-3, with (n+m) - 0-6; each of R ^8A , R ^8B , and

R ,8C is, independently, selected from H, halogen, C|_ ₄ alkyl, C ₂ _4 alkenyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkynyl, C ₂ - ₄ heteroalkyl, OR ^8L , NR ^8M R ^8N , NR ^8O C(O)R ^8P , S(O)R ^8Q , SO ₂ R ^8R R ^8S , SO ₂ NR ^8T R ^8U , SO ₃ R ^8V , CO ₂ R ^8W , C(O)R ^8X , and C(O)NR ^8Y R ^8Z ; and each of R ^8L , R ^8M , R ^8N , R ⁸ °, R ^8P , R ^8Q , R ^8R , R ^8S , R ^8T , R ^8U , R ^8V , R ^8W , R ^8X , R ^8Y , and R ^8Z is, independently, selected from

H, C i_ ₄ alkyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkenyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkynyl, and C ₂ _ ₄ heteroalkyl; X is selected from - CR ^8AA R ^8AB -, -NR ^8AC C(O)-, -OC(O)-, -SC(O)-, -C(O)NR ^8AD -, -CO ₂ -, and -

OC(S)-; and each of R ^8AA , R ^8AB , R ^8AC , and R ^8AD is, independently, selected from H, C ₁ -4 alkyl, C ₂ -4 alkenyl, C ₂ -4 alkynyl, and C ₂ -A heteroalkyl; each of R ^8D , R ^8E , R ^8F , and R is, independently, selected from H, C ₁ - ₄ alkyl, C ₂ -^ alkenyl, C ₂ - ₄ alkynyl, C ₂ _ ₄ heteroalkyl, C ₂ _ ₆ heterocyclyl, C ₆ - _J2 aryl, C ₇ - _I4 alkaryl, and C ₃ _i ₀ alkheterocyclyl; R 8H is H or C i_ ₄ alkyl; and each of R , R , and R is, independently, selected from H,

91 Q. I

Ci- ₄ alkyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkenyl, C ₂ - ₄ alkynyl, and C ₂ _ ₄ heteroalkyl; or R and R together complete a heterocyclic ring having two nitrogen atoms. Where R ⁸¹ and R ^8J form a heterocyclic ring having two nitrogen atoms, the resulting guanidine group is, desirably, selected from

where R is H or CH ₃ . Desirably, R and R combine to form an alkylene or alkenylene of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, e.g., ring systems of 5, 6, and 7-membered rings. The guanylated nitrogen in formula V is identified herein as N'. In a preferred embodiment, X ⁸ is -C(O)NH-. Exemplary compounds of formula VIII include N- guanidyl derivatives (e.g., -C(NH)NH ₂ derivatives) of anesthetic drugs, such as such

as desethyl-N-guanidyl dibucaine. These derivatives can be prepared using methods analogous to those described in Schemes 2-5.

In formula IX, n = 0-6; each of R ^9A , R ^9B , R ^9C , R ^9D , and R ^9E is, independently, selected from H, halogen, C _1-4 alkyl, C _2^t alkenyl, C ₂ - ₄ alkynyl, OR ⁹¹ , NR ^9J R ^9K , NR ^9L C(O)R ^9M , S(O)R ^9N , SO ₂ R ^9O R ^9P , SO ₂ NR ^9Q R ^9R , SO ₃ R ^9S , CO ₂ R ^9T , C(O)R ^9U , and C(O)NR ^9V R ^9W ; and each of R ⁹¹ , R ^9J , R ^9K , R ^9L , R ^9M , R ^9N , R ⁹ °, R ^9P , R ^9Q , R ^9R , R ^9S , R ^9T , R ^9U , R ^9V , and R ^9W is, independently, selected from H, Ci _-4 alkyl, C ₂ _4 alkenyl, C ₂ _4 alkynyl, and C ₂ ^ ₄ heteroalkyl; X ⁹ is selected from -CR ^9X R ^9Y -, -O-, -S-, and -NR ^9Z -; and each of R ^9X , R ^9Y , and R ^9Z is, independently, selected from H, Ci_4 alkyl, C ₂ _4 alkenyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkynyl, and C _2-4 heteroalkyl; Y ⁹ is NR ^9AA NR ^9AB NR ^9AC or NR ^9AD Z ⁹ ; each of R ^9AA , R ^9AB , and R ^9AC is, independently, selected from H, C ₁ - ₄ alkyl, C _2-4 alkenyl, and C ₂ ^ alkynyl; R ^9AD is H or Ci _-4 alkyl; Z ⁹ is

N-R ^9F

NR ^9G R ^9H ; and each of R ^9F , R ^9G , and R ^9H is, independently, selected from H, C _I-4 alkyl, C _2-4 alkenyl, and C _2-4 alkynyl, or R ^9F and R ^9G together complete a heterocyclic ring having two nitrogen atoms. Where R ^9F and R ^9G form a heterocyclic ring having two nitrogen atoms, the resulting guanidine group is, desirably, selected from

where R ^9H is H or CH ₃ . Desirably, R ^9F and R ^9G combine to form an alkylene or alkenylene of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, e.g., ring systems of 5, 6, and 7-membered rings. In a preferred embodiment, X = -O-. Exemplary compounds of formula IX include N-guanidyl derivatives (e.g., -C(NH)NH ₂ derivatives), such as N-guanidyl fluoxetine, and methylated quaternary ammonium derivatives, such as N,N-dimethyl

fluoxetine. These derivatives can be prepared using methods analogous to those described in Schemes 1-5.

In formula X, W ₃ is O, NH, NCH ₂ R ^l0J , NC(O)CH ₂ R ^10J , CHCH ₂ R ^10J , C=CHR ^10J , or C=CHR ^10K ; Wi-W ₂ is S, O, OCHR ^10K , SCHR ^I0K , N=CR ^IOK , CHR ^10L - CHR ^10K , or CR ^10L =CR ^10K ; each of R ^10A , R ^10B , R ^I0C , R ^10D , R ^10E , R ^10F , R ^10G , and R ^10H is, independently, selected from H, OH, halide, C ₁ - ₄ alkyl, and C ₂ - ₄ heteroalkyl; R ^10J is CH ₂ CH ₂ X ^10A or CH(CH ₃ )CH ₂ X ^10A ; R ^10L is H or OH; R ^10K is H, OH, or the group: χ.0A _{is NR} '0M _R .0N _R .0P _{5 or NR} 10Q _χ .0C. _χ .0B _is NRIORR.CK _{or Nχl0} C. _{each rf}

R ^10M , R ^10N , R ^1OP , R ^10R , and R ^10S is, independently, selected from C,_ ₄ alkyl, C ₂ ^ alkenyl, C ₂ ^ alkynyl, and C _2-4 heteroalkyl, or R ^IOR , and R ^10S together complete a heterocyclic ring having at least one nitrogen atom; R ¹⁰⁽ ^ is H or C ₁ - ₄ alkyl; X ^10C is and each of R ^10T , R ^1OU , and R ^10V is, independently, selected from H, C,_ ₄ alkyl, C ₂ - ₄ alkenyl, and C _2^ t alkynyl, or R ^10T and R ^1OV together complete a heterocyclic ring having two nitrogen atoms. Where R ^10T and R ^10V form a heterocyclic ring having two nitrogen atoms, the resulting guanidine group is, desirably, selected from

where R ^10U is H or CH ₃ . Desirably, R ^10T and R ^10V combine to form an alkylene or alkenylene of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, e.g., ring systems of 5, 6, and 7- membered rings. Exemplary compounds of formula X include N-guanidyl derivatives (e.g., -C(NH)NH ₂ derivatives) and methylated quaternary ammonium derivatives. N- guanidyl derivatives of formula X include, without limitation, N-guanidyl amoxapine,

desmethyl-N-guanidyl trimipramine, desmethyl-N-guanidyl dothiepin, desmethyl-N- guanidyl doxepin, desmethyl-N-guanidyl amitriptyline, N-guanidyl protriptyline, N- guanidyl desipramine, desmethyl-N-guanidyl clomipramine, desmethyl-N-guanidyl clozapine, desmethyl-N-guanidyl loxapine, N-guanidyl nortriptyline, desmethyl-N- guanidyl cyclobenzaprine, desmethyl-N-guanidyl cyproheptadine, desmethyl-N- guanidyl olopatadine, desmethyl-N-guanidyl promethazine, desmethyl-N-guanidyl trimeprazine, desmethyl-N-guanidyl chlorprothixene, desmethyl-N-guanidyl chlorpromazine, desmethyl-N-guanidyl propiomazine, desmethyl-N-guanidyl prochlorperazine, desmethyl-N-guanidyl thiethylperazine, desmethyl-N-guanidyl trifluoperazine, desethyl-N-guanidyl ethacizine, and desmethyl-N-guanidyl imipramine. Methylated quaternary ammonium derivatives of formula X include, without limitation, N,N-dimethyl amoxapine, N-methyl trimipramine, N-methyl dothiepin, N-methyl doxepin, N-methyl amitriptyline, N,N-dimethyl protriptyline, N,N-dimethyl desipramine, N-methyl clomipramine, N-methyl clozapine, N-methyl loxapine, N,N-dimethyl nortriptyline, N-methyl cyclobenzaprine, N-methyl cyproheptadine, N-methyl olopatadine, N-methyl promethazine, N-methyl trimeprazine, N-methyl chlorprothixene, N-methyl chlorpromazine, N-methyl propiomazine, N-methyl moricizine, N-methyl prochlorperazine, N-methyl thiethylperazine, N-methyl fluphenazine, N-methyl perphenazine, N-methyl flupenthixol, N-methyl acetophenazine, N-methyl trifluoperazine, N-methyl ethacizine, and N-methyl imipramine. These derivatives can be prepared using methods analogous to those described in Schemes 1-5.

Other ion channel blockers that can contain an amine nitrogen which can be guanylated or quaternized as described herein include, without limitation, orphenadrine, phenbenzamine, bepridil, pimozide, penfluridol, flunarizine, fluspirilene, propiverine, disopyramide, methadone, tolterodine, tridihexethyl salts, tripelennamine, mepyramine, brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, dexchlorpheniramine, carbinoxamine, levomethadyl acetate, gallopamil, verapamil, devapamil, tiapamil, emopamil, dyclonine, pramoxine, lamotrigine, mibefradil, gabapentin, amiloride, diltiazem, nifedipine, nimodipine, nitrendipine, cocaine, mexiletine, propafenone, quinidine, oxethazaine, articaine, riluzole, bencyclane, lifarizine, and strychnine. Still other ion channel blockers can be modified to incorporate a nitrogen atom suitable for quaternization or guanylation. These ion

channel blockers include, without limitation, fosphenytoin, ethotoin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, zonisamide, and salts of valproic acid.

Synthesis The synthesis of charge-modified ion channel blockers may involve the selective protection and deprotection of alcohols, amines, ketones, sulfhydryls or carboxyl functional groups of the parent ion channel blocker, the linker, the bulky group, and/or the charged group. For example, commonly used protecting groups for amines include carbamates, such as tert-buty\, benzyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, 2- trimethylsilylethyl, 9-fluorenylmethyl, allyl, and m-nitrophenyl. Other commonly used protecting groups for amines include amides, such as formamides, acetamides, trifluoroacetamides, sulfonamides, trifiuoromethanesulfonyl amides, trimethylsilylethanesulfonamides, and tert-butylsulfonyl amides. Examples of commonly used protecting groups for carboxyls include esters, such as methyl, ethyl, tert-buty\, 9-fluorenylmethyl, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy methyl, benzyl, diphenylmethyl, O-nitrobenzyl, ortho-esters, and halo-esters. Examples of commonly used protecting groups for alcohols include ethers, such as methyl, methoxymethyl, methoxyethoxymethyl, methylthiomethyl, benzyloxymethyl, tetrahydropyranyl, ethoxyethyl, benzyl, 2-napthylmethyl, O-nitrobenzyl, P-nitrobenzyl, P-methoxybenzyl, 9-phenylxanthyl, trityl (including methoxy-trityls), and silyl ethers. Examples of commonly used protecting groups for sulfhydryls include many of the same protecting groups used for hydroxyls. In addition, sulfhydryls can be protected in a reduced form (e.g., as disulfides) or an oxidized form (e.g., as sulfonic acids, sulfonic esters, or sulfonic amides). Protecting groups can be chosen such that selective conditions (e.g., acidic conditions, basic conditions, catalysis by a nucleophile, catalysis by a lewis acid, or hydrogenation) are required to remove each, exclusive of other protecting groups in a molecule. The conditions required for the addition of protecting groups to amine, alcohol, sulfhydryl, and carboxyl functionalities and the conditions required for their removal are provided in detail in T.W. Green and P.G.M. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis (2 ^nd Ed.), John Wiley & Sons, 1991 and P.J. Kocienski, Protecting Groups, Georg Thieme Verlag, 1994.

Charge-modified ion channel blockers can be prepared using techniques familiar to those skilled in the art. The modifications can be made, for example, by

alkylation of the parent ion channel blocker using the techniques described by J. March, Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms and Structure, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1992, page 617. The conversion of amino groups to guanidine groups can be accomplished using standard synthetic protocols. For example, Mosher has described a general method for preparing mono-substituted guanidines by reaction of aminoiminomethanesulfonic acid with amines (Kim et al, Tetrahedron Lett. 29:3183 (1988)). A more convenient method for guanylation of primary and secondary amines was developed by Bernatowicz employing /H-pyrazole-1- carboxamidine hydrochloride; l-H-pyrazole-l-(N,N'-6/s(tert- butoxycarbonyl)carboxamidine; or l-H-pyrazole-l-(N,N'- 6/s(benzyloxycarbonyl)carboxamidine. These reagents react with amines to give mono-substituted guanidines (see Bernatowicz et al, J. Org. Chem. 57:2497 (1992); and Bernatowicz et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 34:3389 (1993)). In addition, Thioureas and S-alkyl-isothioureas have been shown to be useful intermediates in the syntheses of substituted guanidines (Poss et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 33:5933 (1992)). In certain embodiments, the guanidine is part of a heterocyclic ring having two nitrogen atoms (see, for example, the structures below). The ring system can include an alkylene or

alkenylene of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, e.g., ring systems of 5, 6, and 7- membered rings. Such ring systems can be prepared, for example, using the methods disclosed by Schlama et al., J. Org. Chem., 62:4200 (1997).

Charge-modified ion channel blockers can be prepared by alkylation of an amine nitrogen in the parent compound as shown in Scheme 1.

Scheme 1

Alternatively, charge-modified ion channel blockers can be prepared by introduction of a guanidine group. The parent compound can be reacted with a cynamide, e.g., methylcyanamide, as shown in Scheme 2 or pyrazole-1- carboxamidine derivatives as shown in Scheme 3 where Z is H or a suitable protecting group. Alternatively, the parent compound can be reacted with cyanogens bromide followed by reaction with methylchloroaluminum amide as shown in Scheme 4. Reagents such as 2-(methylthio)-2-imidazoline can also be used to prepare suitably functionalized derivatives (Scheme 5).

Scheme 2

Scheme 3

Z = protecting group

Scheme

amide

Scheme 5

Any ion channel blocker containing an amine nitrogen atom can be modified as shown in Schemes 1-5.

TRPVl agonists

TRPVl agonists that can be employed in the methods, compositions, and kits of the invention include but are not limited to any that activates TRPVl receptors on nociceptors and allows for entry of at least one inhibitor of voltage-gated ion channels. Suitable TRPVl agonists include but are not limited to capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin and nordihydrocapsaicin, lidocaine, articaine, procaine, tetracaine, mepivicaine, bupivicaine, eugenol, camphor, clotrimazole, arvanil (N-arachidonoylvanillamine), anandamide, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2APB), AM404, resiniferatoxin, phorbol 12-phenylacetate 13-acetate 20-homovanillate (PPAHV), olvanil (NE 19550), OLDA (N-oleoyldopamine), N-arachidonyldopamine (NADA), ό'-iodoresiniferatoxin

(6'-IRTX), Cl 8 N-acylethanolamines, lipoxygenase derivatives such as 12-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid, inhibitor cysteine knot (ICK) peptides (vanillotoxins), pipeline, MSKl 95 (N-[2-(3,4-dimethylbenzyl)-3- (pivaloyloxy)propyl]-2-[4-(2-aminoethoxy)-3-methoxyphenyl]ac etamide), JYL79 (N- [2-(3,4-dimethylbenzyl)-3-(pivaloyloxy)propyl]-N'-(4-hydroxy -3- methoxybenzyl)thiourea), hydroxy-alpha-sanshool, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, 10-shogaol, oleylgingerol, oleylshogaol, SU200 (N-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)-N'-(4- hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)thiourea) nonivamide, and fatty acyl amides of tetrahydroisoquinolines. Other compounds that may act as TRPVl agonists are aprindine, benzocaine, butacaine, cocaine, dibucaine, encainide, mexiletine, oxetacaine (oxethazaine), prilocaine, proparacaine, procainamide, n-acetylprocainamide, chloroprocaine (nesacaine, nescaine), dyclonine, etidocaine, levobupivacaine, ropivacaine, cyclomethycaine, dimethocaine (larocaine), propoxycaine, trimecaine, and sympocaine.

TRPlA agonists

TRPlA agonists that can be employed in the methods, compositions, and kits of the invention include any that activates TRPlA receptors on nociceptors or pruriceptors and allows for entry of at least one inhibitor of voltage-gated ion channels. Suitable TRPlA agonists include but are not limited to cinnamaldehyde, allyl-isothiocynanate, diallyl disulfide, icilin, cinnamon oil, wintergreen oil, clove oil, acrolein, hydroxy-alpha-sanshool, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, 4-hydroxynonenal, methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, mustard oil, 3'-carbamoylbiphenyl-3-yl cyclohexylcarbamate (URB597), and farnesyl thiosalicylic acid.

P2X agonists

P2X agonists that can be employed in the methods, compositions, and kits of the invention include any that activates P2X receptors on nociceptors or pruriceptors and allows for entry of at least one inhibitor of voltage-gated ion channels. Suitable P2X agonists include but are not limited to 2-methylthio-ATP, 2' and 3'-O-(4- benzoylbenzoyl)-ATP, and ATP5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate).

TRPM8 agonists

TRPM8 agonists that can be employed in the methods, compositions, and kits of the invention include any that activates TRPM8 receptors on nociceptors or pruriceptors and allows for entry of at least one inhibitor of voltage-gated ion channels. Suitable TRPM8 agonists include but are not limited to menthol, iciclin, eucalyptol, linalool, geraniol, and hydroxycitronellal.

Membrane Permeable Voltage-Gated Ion Channel Inhibitors

Membrane permeable inhibitors of voltage-gated ion channels can also be employed. Such inhibitors include but are not limited to lidocaine, cocaine, carbamazepine, disopyramide, lamotrigine, procainamide, phenytoin, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, zonisamide, tetracaine, ethyl aminobenzoate, prilocaine, disopyramide phosphate, flecainide acetate, mexiletine, propafenone, quinidine gluconate, quinidine polygalacturonate, chloroprocaine, dibucaine, dyclonine, mepivacaine, pramoxine, procaine, tetracaine, oxethazaine, propitocaine, levobupivacaine, bupivacaine, lidocaine, moricizine, tocainide, proparacaine, ropivacaine, quinidine sulfate, encainide, ropivacaine, etidocaine, moricizine, quinidine, encainide, flecainide, tocainide, fosphenytoin, chloroprocaine, dyclonine, L-(-)-l-Butyl-2',6'- pipecoloxylidide, and pramoxine.

Additional agents

The methods, compositions, and kits of the invention may be used for the treatment of pain (e.g., neuropathic pain, nociceptive pain, idiopathic pain, inflammatory pain, dysfunctional pain, migraine, or procedural pain) and itch (e.g. dermatological conditions like atopic eczema or psoriasis, pruritis in parasitic and fungal infections, drug-induced, allergic, metabolic, in cancer or liver and kidney failure). If desired, one or more additional agents typically used to treat pain may be used in conjunction with a combination of the invention in the methods, compositions, and kits described herein. Such agents include but are not limited to NSAIDs, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, amine transporter inhibitors, anticonvulsants. If desired, one or more additional agents typically used to treat itch may be used in conjunction with a combination of the invention in the methods, compositions, and kits described herein. Such agents include topical or oral steroids and antihistamines.

Formulation of compositions

The administration of a combination of the invention may be by any suitable means that results in the reduction of pain sensation at the target region. The inhibitor(s) of voltage-gated ion channels and the TRPVl /TRPA 1/P2X/TRPM 8 receptor agonist(s) may be contained in any appropriate amount in any suitable carrier substance, and are generally present in amounts totaling 1-95% by weight of the total weight of the composition. The composition may be provided in a dosage form that is suitable for oral, parenteral (e.g., intravenous, intramuscular), rectal, cutaneous, subcutaneous, topical, transdermal, sublingual, nasal, vaginal, intrathecal, epidural, or ocular administration, or by injection, inhalation, or direct contact with the nasal or oral mucosa.

Thus, the composition may be in the form of, e.g., tablets, capsules, pills, powders, granulates, suspensions, emulsions, solutions, gels including hydrogels, pastes, ointments, creams, plasters, drenches, osmotic delivery devices, suppositories, enemas, injectables, implants, sprays, or aerosols. The compositions may be formulated according to conventional pharmaceutical practice (see, e.g., Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 20th edition, 2000, ed. A.R. Gennaro, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, and Encyclopedia of Pharmaceutical Technology, eds. J. Swarbrick and J. C. Boylan, 1988-1999, Marcel Dekker, New York).

Each compound of the combination may be formulated in a variety of ways that are known in the art. For example, the first and second agents may be formulated together or separately. Desirably, the first and second agents are formulated together for the simultaneous or near simultaneous administration of the agents. The individually or separately formulated agents can be packaged together as a kit. Non-limiting examples include but are not limited to kits that contain, e.g., two pills, a pill and a powder, a suppository and a liquid in a vial, two topical creams, etc. The kit can include optional components that aid in the administration of the unit dose to patients, such as vials for reconstituting powder forms, syringes for injection, customized IV delivery systems, inhalers, etc. Additionally, the unit dose kit can contain instructions for preparation and administration of the compositions.

The kit may be manufactured as a single use unit dose for one patient, multiple uses for a particular patient (at a constant dose or in which the individual compounds

may vary in potency as therapy progresses); or the kit may contain multiple doses suitable for administration to multiple patients ("bulk packaging"). The kit components may be assembled in cartons, blister packs, bottles, tubes, and the like.

Solid dosage forms for oral use

Formulations for oral use include tablets containing the active ingredient(s) in a mixture with non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. These excipients may be, for example, inert diluents or fillers (e.g., sucrose and sorbitol), lubricating agents, glidants, and antiadhesives (e.g., magnesium stearate, zinc stearate, stearic acid, silicas, hydrogenated vegetable oils, or talc).

Two or more compounds may be mixed together in a tablet, capsule, or other vehicle, or may be partitioned. In one example, the first compound is contained on the inside of the tablet, and the second compound is on the outside, such that a substantial portion of the second compound is released prior to the release of the first compound.

Formulations for oral use may also be provided as chewable tablets, or as hard gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent, or as soft gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with water or an oil medium. Generally, when administered to a human, the oral dosage of any of the compounds of the combination of the invention will depend on the nature of the compound, and can readily be determined by one skilled in the art. Typically, such dosage is normally about 0.001 mg to 2000 mg per day, desirably about 1 mg to 1000 mg per day, and more desirably about 5 mg to 500 mg per day. Dosages up to 200 mg per day may be necessary. It may be useful to administer the minimum therapeutic dose required to activate the TRPVl /TRPA 1/P2X/TRPM8 receptor, which can be determined using standard techniques.

Administration of each drug in the combination can, independently, be one to four times daily for one day to one year, and may even be for the life of the patient. Chronic, long-term administration will be indicated in many cases.

Topical formulations

Compositions can also be adapted for topical use with a topical vehicle containing from between 0.0001% and 25% (w/w) or more of active ingredient(s).

In a preferred combination, the active ingredients are preferably each from between 0.0001 % to 10% (w/w), more preferably from between 0.0005% to 4% (w/w) active agent. The cream can be applied one to four times daily, or as needed. For example, for prednisolone adapted for topical administration, a topical vehicle will contain from between 0.01% to 5% (w/w), preferably from between 0.01% to 2% (w/w), more preferably from between 0.01% to 1% (w/w). Performing the methods described herein, the topical vehicle containing the combination of the invention is preferably applied to the site of discomfort on the subject. For example, a cream may be applied to the hands of a subject suffering from arthritic fingers.

Conjugates

If desired, the drugs used in any of the combinations described herein may be covalently attached to one another to form a conjugate of formula (XI).

(A)-(L)-(B) (XI)

In formula (XI), (A) is a compound that activates a channel-forming receptor that is present on nociceptors and/or pruriceptors; (L) is a linker; and (B) is a compound that inhibits one or more voltage-gated ion channels when applied to the internal face of the channels but does not substantially inhibit the channels when applied to the external face of the channels, and is capable of entering nociceptors or pruriceptors through the channel-forming receptor when the receptor is activated.

The conjugates of the invention can be prodrugs, releasing drug (A) and drug (B) upon, for example, cleavage of the conjugate by intracellular and extracellular enzymes (e.g., amidases, esterases, and phosphatases). The conjugates of the invention can also be designed to largely remain intact in vivo, resisting cleavage by intracellular and extracellular enzymes, so long as the conjugate and is capable of entering nociceptors or pruriceptors through the channel-forming receptor when the receptor is activated. The degradation of the conjugate in vivo can be controlled by

the design of linker (L) and the covalent bonds formed with compound (A) and compound (B) during the synthesis of the conjugate.

Conjugates can be prepared using techniques familiar to those skilled in the art. For example, the conjugates can be prepared using the methods disclosed in G. Hermanson, Bioconjugate Techniques, Academic Press, Inc., 1996. The synthesis of conjugates may involve the selective protection and deprotection of alcohols, amines, ketones, sulfhydryls or carboxyl functional groups of drug (A), the linker, and/or drug (B). For example, commonly used protecting groups for amines include carbamates, such as ter/-butyl, benzyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, 2-trimethylsilylethyl, 9- fluorenylmethyl, allyl, and m-nitrophenyl. Other commonly used protecting groups for amines include amides, such as formamides, acetamides, trifiuoroacetamides, sulfonamides, trifluoromethanesulfonyl amides, trimethylsilylethanesulfonamides, and tert-butylsulfonyl amides. Examples of commonly used protecting groups for carboxyls include esters, such as methyl, ethyl, tert-buty\, 9-fiuorenylmethyl, 2- (trimethylsilyl)ethoxy methyl, benzyl, diphenylmethyl, O-nitrobenzyl, ortho-esters, and halo-esters. Examples of commonly used protecting groups for alcohols include ethers, such as methyl, methoxymethyl, methoxyethoxymethyl, methylthiomethyl, benzyloxymethyl, tetrahydropyranyl, ethoxyethyl, benzyl, 2-napthylmethyl, O- nitrobenzyl, P-nitrobenzyl, P-methoxybenzyl, 9-phenylxanthyl, trityl (including methoxy-trityls), and silyl ethers. Examples of commonly used protecting groups for sulfhydryls include many of the same protecting groups used for hydroxyls. In addition, sulfhydryls can be protected in a reduced form (e.g., as disulfides) or an oxidized form (e.g., as sulfonic acids, sulfonic esters, or sulfonic amides). Protecting groups can be chosen such that selective conditions (e.g., acidic conditions, basic conditions, catalysis by a nucleophile, catalysis by a lewis acid, or hydrogenation) are required to remove each, exclusive of other protecting groups in a molecule. The conditions required for the addition of protecting groups to amine, alcohol, sulfhydryl, and carboxyl functionalities and the conditions required for their removal are provided in detail in T. W. Green and P. G. M. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis (2 ^nd Ed.), John Wiley & Sons, 1991 and P.J. Kocienski, Protecting Groups, Georg Thieme Verlag, 1994. Additional synthetic details are provided below.

Linkers

The linker component of the invention is, at its simplest, a bond between compound (A) and compound (B), but typically provides a linear, cyclic, or branched molecular skeleton having pendant groups covalently linking compound (A) to compound (B). Thus, linking of compound (A) to compound (B) is achieved by covalent means, involving bond formation with one or more functional groups located on compound (A) and compound (B). Examples of chemically reactive functional groups which may be employed for this purpose include, without limitation, amino, hydroxyl, sulfhydryl, carboxyl, carbonyl, carbohydrate groups, vicinal diols, thioethers, 2-aminoalcohols, 2-aminothiols, guanidinyl, imidazolyl, and phenolic groups.

The covalent linking of compound (A) and compound (B) may be effected using a linker which contains reactive moieties capable of reaction with such functional groups present in compound (A) and compound (B). For example, an amine group of compound (A) may react with a carboxyl group of the linker, or an activated derivative thereof, resulting in the formation of an amide linking the two. Examples of moieties capable of reaction with sulfhydryl groups include α- haloacetyl compounds of the type XCH ₂ CO- (where X=Br, Cl or I), which show particular reactivity for sulfhydryl groups, but which can also be used to modify imidazolyl, thioether, phenol, and amino groups as described by Gurd, Methods Enzymol. 11 :532 (1967). N-Maleimide derivatives are also considered selective towards sulfhydryl groups, but may additionally be useful in coupling to amino groups under certain conditions. Reagents such as 2-iminothiolane (Traut et al., Biochemistry 12:3266 (1973)), which introduce a thiol group through conversion of an amino group, may be considered as sulfhydryl reagents if linking occurs through the formation of disulphide bridges.

Examples of reactive moieties capable of reaction with amino groups include, for example, alkylating and acylating agents. Representative alkylating agents include: (i) α-haloacetyl compounds, which show specificity towards amino groups in the absence of reactive thiol groups and are of the type XCH ₂ CO- (where X=Cl, Br or I), for example, as described by Wong Biochemistry 24:5337 (1979);

(ii) N-maleimide derivatives, which may react with amino groups either through a Michael type reaction or through acylation by addition to the ring carbonyl group, for example, as described by Smyth et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 82:4600 (1960) and Biochem. J. 91 :589 (1964); (iii) aryl halides such as reactive nitrohaloaromatic compounds;

(iv) alkyl halides, as described, for example, by McKenzie et al., J. Protein Chem. 7:581 (1988);

(v) aldehydes and ketones capable of Schiff s base formation with amino groups, the adducts formed usually being stabilized through reduction to give a stable amine;

(vi) epoxide derivatives such as epichlorohydrin and bisoxiranes, which may react with amino, sulfhydryl, or phenolic hydroxyl groups;

(vii) chlorine-containing derivatives of s-triazines, which are very reactive towards nucleophiles such as amino, sufhydryl, and hydroxyl groups; (viii) aziridines based on s-triazine compounds detailed above, e.g., as described by Ross, J. Adv. Cancer Res. 2:1 (1954), which react with nucleophiles such as amino groups by ring opening;

(ix) squaric acid diethyl esters as described by Tietze, Chem. Ber. 124:1215 (1991); and (x) α-haloalkyl ethers, which are more reactive alkylating agents than normal alkyl halides because of the activation caused by the ether oxygen atom, as described by Benneche et al., Eur. J. Med. Chem. 28:463 (1993).

Representative amino-reactive acylating agents include:

(i) isocyanates and isothiocyanates, particularly aromatic derivatives, which form stable urea and thiourea derivatives respectively;

(ii) sulfonyl chlorides, which have been described by Herzig et al., Biopolymers 2:349 (1964);

(iii) acid halides;

(iv) active esters such as nitrophenylesters or N-hydroxysuccinimidyl esters; (v) acid anhydrides such as mixed, symmetrical, or N-carboxyanhydrides;

(vi) other useful reagents for amide bond formation, for example, as described by M. Bodansky, Principles of Peptide Synthesis, Springer-Verlag, 1984;

(vii) acylazides, e.g. wherein the azide group is generated from a preformed hydrazide derivative using sodium nitrite, as described by Wetz et al., Anal. Biochem. 58:347 (1974); and

(viii) imidoesters, which form stable amidines on reaction with amino groups, for example, as described by Hunter and Ludwig, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 84:3491 (1962).

Aldehydes and ketones may be reacted with amines to form Schiff s bases, which may advantageously be stabilized through reductive amination. Alkoxylamino moieties readily react with ketones and aldehydes to produce stable alkoxamines, for example, as described by Webb et al., in Bioconjugate Chem. 1:96 (1990). Examples of reactive moieties capable of reaction with carboxyl groups include diazo compounds such as diazoacetate esters and diazoacetamides, which react with high specificity to generate ester groups, for example, as described by Herriot, Adv. Protein Chem. 3:169 (1947). Carboxyl modifying reagents such as carbodiimides, which react through O-acylurea formation followed by amide bond formation, may also be employed.

It will be appreciated that functional groups in compound (A) and/or compound (B) may, if desired, be converted to other functional groups prior to reaction, for example, to confer additional reactivity or selectivity. Examples of methods useful for this purpose include conversion of amines to carboxyls using reagents such as dicarboxylic anhydrides; conversion of amines to thiols using reagents such as N-acetylhomocysteine thiolactone, S-acetylmercaptosuccinic anhydride, 2-iminothiolane, or thiol-containing succinimidyl derivatives; conversion of thiols to carboxyls using reagents such as α -haloacetates; conversion of thiols to amines using reagents such as ethylenimine or 2-bromoethylamine; conversion of carboxyls to amines using reagents such as carbodiimides followed by diamines; and conversion of alcohols to thiols using reagents such as tosyl chloride followed by transesterification with thioacetate and hydrolysis to the thiol with sodium acetate. So-called zero-length linkers, involving direct covalent joining of a reactive chemical group of compound (A) with a reactive chemical group of compound (B) without introducing additional linking material may, if desired, be used in accordance with the invention.

Most commonly, however, the linker will include two or more reactive moieties, as described above, connected by a spacer element. The presence of such a

spacer permits bifunctional linkers to react with specific functional groups within compound (A) and compound (B), resulting in a covalent linkage between the two. The reactive moieties in a linker may be the same (homobifunctional linker) or different (heterobifunctional linker, or, where several dissimilar reactive moieties are present, heteromultifunctional linker), providing a diversity of potential reagents that may bring about covalent attachment between compound (A) and compound (B).

Spacer elements in the linker typically consist of linear or branched chains and may include a Cι_io alkyl, C ₂ _io alkenyl, C ₂ _] ₀ alkynyl, C ₂ _$ heterocyclyl, C ₆ -I ₂ aryl, C ₇ - _I4 alkaryl, C ₃ - _I0 alkheterocyclyl, or Ci_i ₀ heteroalkyl.

In some instances, the linker is described by formula (XII):

G ¹ -(Z ¹ ) _o -(Y ¹ ) _u -(Z ² ) _s -(R ₃₀ )-(Z ³ ) _t -(Y ² ) _v -(Z ⁴ )p-G ² (XII)

In formula (XII), G ¹ is a bond between compound (A) and the linker; G ² is a bond between the linker and compound (B); Z ¹ , Z ² , Z ³ , and Z ⁴ each, independently, is selected from O, S, and NR ₃₁ ; R ₃₁ is hydrogen, C ₁ - ₄ alkyl, C ₂ _ ₄ alkenyl, C ₂ ^ alkynyl, C ₂ _ ₆ heterocyclyl, C ₆ - _I2 aryl, C ₇ _i ₄ alkaryl, C ₃ _i ₀ alkheterocyclyl, or C|_ ₇ heteroalkyl; Y ¹ and Y ² are each, independently, selected from carbonyl, thiocarbonyl, sulphonyl, or phosphoryl; o, p, s, t, u, and v are each, independently, 0 or 1 ; and R ₃₀ is a Ci_i ₀ alkyl, C ₂ _i ₀ alkenyl, C ₂ _i ₀ alkynyl, C ₂ _ ₆ heterocyclyl, C ₆ - _J2 aryl, C ₇ _i ₄ alkaryl, C ₃ _i ₀ alkheterocyclyl, or Ci_ιo heteroalkyl, or a chemical bond linking G ¹ -(Z ¹ ) _O -(Y ¹ ) _U -(Z ² ) _S - to -(Z ³ ) _t -(Y ² ) _v -(Z ⁴ )p-G ² .

Examples of homobifunctional linkers useful in the preparation of conjugates of the invention include, without limitation, diamines and diols selected from ethylenediamine, propylenediamine and hexamethylenediamine, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1 ,6-hexanediol, cyclohexanediol, and polycaprolactone diol.

Exemplary uses

The methods, compositions, and kits of the invention can be used to treat pain associated with any of a number of conditions, including back and neck pain, cancer pain, gynecological and labor pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis and other rheumatological

pains, orthopedic pains, post herpetic neuralgia and other neuropathic pains, sickle cell crises, interstitial cystitis, urethritis and other urological pains, dental pain, headaches, postoperative pain, and procedural pain (i.e., pain associated with injections, draining an abcess, surgery, dental procedures, opthalmic procedures, arthroscopies and use of other medical instrumentation, cosmetic surgical procedures, dermatological procedures, setting fractures, biopsies, and the like).

Since a subclass of nociceptors mediate itch sensation the methods, compositions, and kits of the invention can also be used to treat itch in patients with conditions like dermatitis, infections, parasites, insect bites, pregnancy, metabolic disorders, liver or renal failure, drug reactions, allergic reactions, eczema, and cancer.

Pain and function indices

In order to measure the efficacy of any of the methods, compositions, or kits of the invention, a measurement index may be used. Indices that are useful in the methods, compositions, and kits of the invention for the measurement of pain associated with musculoskeletal, immunoinflammatory and neuropathic disorders include a visual analog scale (VAS), a Likert scale, categorical pain scales, descriptors, the Lequesne index, the WOMAC index, and the AUSCAN index, each of which is well known in the art. Such indices may be used to measure pain, itch, function, stiffness, or other variables.

A visual analog scale (VAS) provides a measure of a one-dimensional quantity. A VAS generally utilizes a representation of distance, such as a picture of a line with hash marks drawn at regular distance intervals, e.g., ten 1-cm intervals. For example, a patient can be asked to rank a sensation of pain or itch by choosing the spot on the line that best corresponds to the sensation of pain or itch, where one end of the line corresponds to "no pain" (score of 0 cm) or "no itch" and the other end of the line corresponds to "unbearable pain" or "unbearable itch" (score of 10 cm). This procedure provides a simple and rapid approach to obtaining quantitative information about how the patient is experiencing pain or itch. VAS scales and their use are described, e.g., in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,709,406 and 6,432,937.

A Likert scale similarly provides a measure of a one-dimensional quantity. Generally, a Likert scale has discrete integer values ranging from a low value (e.g., 0, meaning no pain) to a high value (e.g., 7, meaning extreme pain). A patient

experiencing pain is asked to choose a number between the low value and the high value to represent the degree of pain experienced. Likert scales and their use are described, e.g., in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,623,040 and 6,766,319.

The Lequesne index and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index assess pain, function, and stiffness in the knee and hip of OA patients using self-administered questionnaires. Both knee and hip are encompassed by the WOMAC, whereas there is one Lequesne questionnaire for the knee and a separate one for the hip. These questionnaires are useful because they contain more information content in comparison with VAS or Likert. Both the WOMAC index and the Lequesne index questionnaires have been extensively validated in OA, including in surgical settings (e.g., knee and hip arthroplasty). Their metric characteristics do not differ significantly.

The AUSCAN (Australian-Canadian hand arthritis) index employs a valid, reliable, and responsive patient self-reported questionnaire. In one instance, this questionnaire contains 15 questions within three dimensions (Pain, 5 questions;

Stiffness, 1 question; and Physical function, 9 questions). An AUSCAN index may utilize, e.g., a Likert or a VAS scale.

Indices that are useful in the methods, compositions, and kits of the invention for the measurement of pain include the Pain Descriptor Scale (PDS), the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Verbal Descriptor Scales (VDS), the Numeric Pain Intensity Scale (NPIS), the Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS), the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI), the Present Pain Inventory (PPI), the Geriatric Pain Measure (GPM), the McGiIl Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), mean pain intensity (Descriptor Differential Scale), numeric pain scale (NPS) global evaluation score (GES) the Short-Form McGiIl Pain Questionnaire, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, the Pain Profile and Multidimensional Pain Inventory, the Child Heath Questionnaire, and the Child Assessment Questionnaire.

Itch can be measured by subjective measures (VAS, Lickert, descriptors). Another approach is to measure scratch which is an objective correlate of itch using a vibration transducer or movement-sensitive meters.

Screening

Our discovery that certain channels expressed by and present on nociceptors and pruriceptors allow entry of compounds that inhibit voltage-gated ion channels into the target cells provides a method for identifying compounds as being useful for the treatment of pain and itch. In one example, a nociceptor or pruriceptor is contacted with a one, two, or more compounds that activate TRPVl, TRPAl, TRPM8 and/or P2X(2/3) receptors. The same nociceptor or pruriceptor is also contacted with a second compound that inhibits one or more voltage-gated ion channels when applied to the internal face of the nociceptor (e.g., by intracellular application via micropipette in the whole-cell patch-clamp technique) but not when applied to the external face of the cell (because of the inability of the compound to cross the cell membrane). Inhibition of the ion channels in the nociceptor or pruriceptor will inhibit the cell from propagating an action potential and/or signalling to the second order neuron, in either case blocking the transmission of the pain signal, thus, the ability of the second compound to inhibit voltage-gated ion channels in the nociceptor identifies that compound as one that can be used in combination with compounds that activate TRPVl, TRPAl, TRPM8 and/or P2X(2/3) receptors to treat pain or itch.

The following examples are intended to illustrate the invention, and is not intended to limit it.

Example 1

We recorded current through voltage-dependent sodium channels using whole- cell voltage clamp recordings from adult rat DRG neurons. To select for nociceptors, we recorded from small (24 ± 5 μm; n=25) neurons and tested the neurons for the expression of TRPVl receptors by a short (1-sec) application of 1 μM capsaicin. In 25/25 of small neurons tested, capsaicin produced a prolonged (10 ± 3 sec) inward current (Fig. IA, upper panel), consistent with the neurons being nociceptors. Sodium currents were elicited by depolarizing steps from a holding potential of -70 mV. Bath application of 5 mM QX-314 alone had a minimal effect on sodium current (decrease by 3 ± 0.5% after a 5-minute application, n=25) (Fig. IA, left; b). Application of capsaicin alone (1 μM for 1-10 minutes) reduced sodium current moderately (31 ± 9% inhibition (n=25). However, when QX-314 was applied together with capsaicin,

sodium current was nearly totally abolished (inhibition by 98 ± 0.4%, n=25) (Fig. IA, left; b). As expected if the block of sodium current resulted from gradual entry of QX-314 through TRPVl receptors, inhibition developed over several minutes and was nearly complete after 15 minutes (Fig. 1C). To test whether the ability of co-applied capsaicin and QX-314 to inhibit sodium current is selective for cells that express TRPVl receptors, we also recorded from large DRG neurons (soma diameter > 40 μm) (Fig. IA, right). In these neurons, capsaicin did not elicit an inward current (10 of 10). As for small diameter neurons, QX-314 applied alone had little or no effect on sodium current (current increased by 8 ± 4% after a 10-minute application, n=10). Unlike small diameter neurons, capsaicin had no effect on sodium current in large diameter neurons (average increase by 3 ± 2% after a 10-minute application, n=10). Most notably, co-application of QX-314 and capsaicin had little or no effect on sodium current in the large diameter neurons (decrease by 9 ± 5% after a 10-minute application, n=10). Thus, the ability of co- applied QX-314 and capsaicin to inhibit sodium current is highly selective for neurons expressing TRPVl receptors, as expected if QX-314 enters the neurons through TRPVl receptors.

We also examined the effect of co-applied QX-314 and capsaicin in current clamp using physiological internal and external solutions. As expected from the voltage clamp results, co-application of QX-314 and capsaicin inhibited the excitability of small diameter neurons, completely blocking action potential generation (Fig. 2, 15 of 15 neurons).

We next examined if the combination of capsaicin and QX-314 can reduce pain behavior in vivo. Injection of QX-314 alone (10 μL of 2% solution) into the hindpaw of adult rats had no significant effect on the mechanical threshold for eliciting a withdrawal response, as determined by von Frey hairs (p=0.33) (Fig. 3A). Capsaicin alone (10 μg/lOμL) elicited spontaneous flinching (40 ± 6 flinches in 5 min), reflecting the direct irritant action of the capsaicin on nociceptors and after 15 and 30 minutes significantly reduced the mechanical threshold (p<0.05) (Fig. 3a), as expected. Injection of capsaicin and QX-314 together did not significantly change the number of flinches during the first 5 minutes after the injection (30 ± 7, p = 0.24). However, the combination completely abolished the later reduction in mechanical threshold normally produced by capsaicin alone (p = 0.14, measured at 15 minutes).

Moreover, 60 minutes after the combined injection of capsaicin and QX-314, mechanical threshold actually increased to reach twice the baseline value, two hours after injection (46 ± 5 g vs. 24 ± 3 g, p<0.05). In three animals the paw was insensitive to even the highest value von Frey filament (57 g). The elevated mechanical threshold lasted for about three hours and then gradually returned back to basal levels by four hours (Fig. 3A).

Similar effects were seen examining sensitivity to a standardized noxious radiant heat stimulus. Unexpectedly, QX-314 alone transiently reduced the thermal response latency at 30 min after the injection (p<0.01 at 30 min; p> 0.05 for all other time points) (Fig. 3B). Capsaicin (10 μg/lOμL) alone also reduced as expected the thermal response latency (p<0.01 15 and 30 min) (Fig. 3B). However, while both QX-314 and capsaicin alone increased heat sensitivity, the co-application of QX-314 and capsaicin together progressively anesthetized the animals to noxious heat, such that 2 hours after the injection no animal reacted to the radiant noxious heat applied for 25 seconds. This effect remained for 4 hours after the injection (Fig. 3B).

We next tested if capsaicin and QX-314 co-administration can be used to produce regional nerve block without the motor effects seen when local anesthesia is produced by lidocaine. Motor effects were scored according to a scale of 0 (no effect; normal gait and limb placement), 1 (limb movement but with abnormal limb placement and movement) or 2 (complete loss of limb movement). Injection of 2% lidocaine (a standard concentration for local nerve block) in close proximity to the sciatic nerve caused complete paralysis of the lower limb when assayed at 15 minutes (6 of 6 animals) and complete or partial paralysis was still present at 30 minutes (mean motor score 1.67 ± 0.2, p<0.01; Fig. 4C). There was a complete loss of the tactile stimulus-evoked placing reflex lasting for at least 30 minutes in all animals with full recovery of these sensory and motor deficits by 45 minutes (Fig. 4). During the period of paralysis, it was not possible to assay sensory sensitivity. In pilot experiments with QX-314, it became clear that much lower concentrations of QX-314 than lidocaine could be used to produce effective local anesthesia when applied with capsaicin. Injection of QX-314 (0.2%, 100 μL) alone had no effect on motor function (6 of 6 animals; Fig. 4C) and also had no significant effect on either mechanical threshold (p=0.7) or thermal response latency (p=0.66) (Fig. 4A, 4B). Capsaicin alone (0.5μg/μL, 100 μL) injected near the nerve reduced both mechanical threshold

(p<0.05) and thermal latency (p<0.05) for 30 min after injection (Fig. 4A, 4B). During this period 4 out of the 6 animals demonstrated a sustained flexion of the injected limb leading to a slight impairment of locomotion (mean motor score 0.7 ± 0.2, p<0.01) but movement of the knee and hip as well as the placing reflex were unchanged. We interpret the sensitivity and motor changes as reflecting activation of nociceptor axons producing a sustained flexion reflex. For co-application of QX-314 and capsaicin into the para-sciatic nerve region, we injected QX-314 first, followed 10 minutes later by capsaicin, with the idea that QX-314 would be present extracellularly and ready to enter TRPVl channels as soon as they were activated. Indeed, there was little or no behavioral response to the capsaicin injection when preceded by QX-314 injection, and the behavioral responses indicated that there was effective anesthesia to noxious stimuli. There was a very marked increase in mechanical threshold such that all animals showed no response to the stiffest von Frey hair (57 g; vs. pre-injection withdrawal to stimuli averaging 15.2± 3.4; p<0.01, n=6) and also in the thermal response latency (22.3 ± 2.3 s vs. 14.9 ± 0.4 s, p<0.05, n=6). These changes were evident at 15 min after the capsaicin injection for the mechanical stimuli and at 30 min for the thermal stimuli and lasted for 90 minutes (Fig. 4A, 4B). Five of six animals had no motor deficit whatsoever (mean motor score 0. 17 ± 0.17, p=0.34) (Fig. 4C) and no change in the placing reflex. One animal demonstrated sustained flexion similar to that observed when capsaicin was injected alone, but more transient.

Methods

Electrophysiology

Dorsal root ganglia from 6-8 week old Sprague-Dawley rats were removed and placed into Dulbecco's Minimum Essential Medium containing 1% penicillin- streptomycin (Sigma), then treated for 90 minutes with 5 mg/ml collagenase, lmg/ml Dispase II (Roche, Indianapolis, IN) and for 7 minutes with 0.25% trypsin, followed by addition of 2.5% trypsin inhibitor. Cells were triturated in the presence of DNAase I inhibitor (50 U), centrifuged through 15% BSA (Sigma), resuspended in ImI Neurobasal medium (Sigma), 10 μM AraC, NGF (50 ng/ml) and GDNF (2 ng/ml) and plated onto poly-lysine (500 μg/ml) and laminin (5 mg/ml) coated 35 mm tissue culture dishes (Becton Dickinson) at 8000-9000 per well. Cultures were incubated at 37 ⁰ C, 5% carbon dioxide. Recordings were made within 48 hours after plating.

Average size of small neurons chosen as likely nociceptors was 23 ± 6 μm (n=50) and that of large neurons was 48 ± 8 μm (n=10).

Whole-cell voltage-clamp or current-clamp recordings were made using an

Axopatch 200A amplifier (Axon Instruments, Union City, CA) and patch pipettes with resistances of 1 -2 Mω. For voltage-clamp recordings pipette capacitance was reduced by wrapping the shank by Parafilm or coating the shank with Sylgard (Dow

Corning, Midland, MI). Cell capacitance was compensated for using the amplifier circuitry, and linear leakage currents subtracted using a P/4 procedure. Series resistance (usually 3-7 Mω and always less than 10 Mω) was compensated by -80%. Voltage clamp recordings used solutions designed to isolate sodium currents by blocking potassium and calcium currents and with reduced external sodium to improve voltage clamp. Pipette solution was 110 mM CsCl, ImM CaCl ₂ , 2 mM

MgCl ₂ , 1 ImM EGTA, and 10 mM HEPES, pH adjusted to 7.4 with -25 mM CsOH.

External solution was 60 mM NaCl, 60 mM choline chloride, 4 mM KCl, 2 mM CaCl ₂ , 1 mM MgCl ₂ , 0.1 mM CdCl ₂ , 15 mM tetraethylammonium chloride, 5 mM A- aminopyridine, 10 mM glucose, and 10 mM HEPES, pH adjusted to 7.4 with NaOH.

No correction was made for the small liquid junction potential (-2.2 mV).

Current clamp recordings were made using the fast current clamp mode of the

Axopatch 200A amplifier Pipette solution was 135 mM K gluconate; 2 mM MgCl ₂ ; 6 mM KCl; 10 mM HEPES; 5 mM Mg ATP; 0.5 mM Li ₂ GTP; (pH = 7.4 with KOH).

External solution was 145 mM NaCl; 5 mM KCl; 1 mM MgCl ₂ ; 2 mM CaCl ₂ ; 10 mM

HEPES; 10 mM glucose; (pH adjusted to 7.4 with NaOH). Membrane potential was corrected for a liquid junction potential of -15 mV.

Command protocols were generated and data digitized using a Digidata 1200 A/D interface with pCLAMP 8.2 software (Axon Instruments, Union City, CA).

Voltage-clamp current records were low pass filtered at 2 kHz and current clamp recordings at 10 kHz (-3 dB, 4 pole Bessel filter).

QX-314 (5 mM), capsaicin (1 μM or 500 nM), or their combination was applied using custom-designed multibarrel fast drug delivery system placed about 200-250 μm from the neuron. Solution exchange was complete in less than a second.

Behavior

For intraplantar injections, rats were first habituated to handling and tests performed with the experimenter blind to the treatment. Intraplantar injections of vehicle (20 % ethanol, 5% Tween 20 in saline, 10 μL) capsaicin (1 μg/μL), QX-314 (2%) or mixture of capsaicin and QX-314 into the left hindpaw were made and mechanical and thermal sensitivities determined using von Frey hairs and radiant heat respectively.

For sciatic nerve injections, animals were first habituated to handling for 10 days. Lidocaine (0.2% or 2%, 100 μL); QX-314 (0.2%, 100 μL) alone; capsaicin (50 μg in 100 μL) alone, or QX-314 followed by capsaicin (10 minutes interval) were injected into the area of sciatic nerve below the hip joint. Mechanical and thermal thresholds were determined using von Frey filaments and radiant heat. Motor function of the injected leg was assessed every 15 minutes using the following grading score: 0 = none; 1 = partially blocked; and 2 = fully blocked. Walking, climbing, walking on the rod and placing reflex were examined. Motor blockade was graded as none when gait was normal and there was no visible limb weakness; as partially blocked when the limb could move but movements were abnormal and could not support the normal posture; and as completely blocked when the limb was flaccid and without resistance to extension of the limb. All experiments were done with the experimenter blinded.

Statistical analysis

Statistics were analyzed using Students t test or one-way ANOVA, followed by Dunnett's test as appropriate. For the motor scoring the data obtained after injection of lidocaine 0.2% used as a control for the Dunnett's test. Data represented as mean + SEM.

Example 2

We have also shown that eugenol (Ci ₀ Hi ₂ O ₂ ), an allyl chain-substituted guaiacol, 2-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)phenol (active ingredient in oil of clove, and a non-pungent agonist of TRPVl receptors) promotes entry of QX-314 into dorsal root ganglion neurons by activating TRPVl channels. Fig. 5 depicts voltage clamp recordings of sodium channel current in small dorsal root ganglion neurons. The data

show that eugenol alone has a modest inhibitory effect on sodium current (10-20% inhibition). Co-application of eugenol and QX-314 produces progressive block that can be complete after 7 minutes. Two examples are depicted, which are representative of 10 experiments with similar results. As is demonstrated above, external QX-314 alone has no effect while internal QX-314 blocks sodium channels. Thus, these experiments indicate that eugenol promotes entry of QX-314 into dorsal root ganglion neurons by activating TRPVl channels.

Example 3 Fig. 6 shows the results of co-application of the TRPA agonist mustard oil

(MO) (50 μM) and QX-314 (5 mM). MO alone reduces sodium current by 20-30% and reaches a plateau after approximately 3 minutes. Co-application of MO and QX- 314 reduced sodium current dramatically.

Example 4

The selective production of analgesia by targeting only nociceptors (pain- sensing neurons) is performed by co-administering capsaicin, an agonist of the large- pore cationic channel receptor TRPVl, along with a QX-314, a membrane impermeable voltage-gated channel inhibitor. Capsaicin activates the TRPVl channel receptor and allows QX-314 to pass into the intracellular space through this activated receptor channel. Once in the intracellular space, QX-314 can inhibit sodium voltage- gated channels, thereby providing a reduction or elimination of pain.

A further analgesic condition is achieved in the neuron by providing lidocaine, a membrane permeable voltage-gated channel inhibitor and also a TRVl agonist. As shown in Fig. 7, the addition of lidocaine to QX-314 alone dramatically increases the analgesic properties of these compounds by allowing QX-314 to enter the cell through TRPVl, as measured by increased thermal latency and mechanical pain thresholds.

In addition to acting with QX-314 to produce a long-lasting analgesia by virtue of its TRPVl agonist actions, lidocaine when administered with capsaicin also blocks the irritant/pain-producing effects of capsaicin by virtue of its local anesthetic sodium channel blocking action. Therefore, administration of lidocaine, capsaicin, and QX-314 together prevents the short-lasting pain producing effects found with capsaicin andQX-314 alone - until the QX-314 enters the cell and blocks sodium

channels. Furthermore, the combination of these three agents (capsaicin, lidocaine and QX-314) produces a longer lasting effect than any alone or combinations of two of the compounds. Using lidocaine with capsaicin and QX-314 allows a greater dose of capsaicin to be tolerated so that more QX-314 can enter the nociceptors and produce a greater and longer lasting analgesia.

Example 5

The selective production of analgesia by selectively targeting nociceptors (pain-sensing neurons) is performed by co-administering capsaicin, an agonist of the large-pore cationic channel receptor TRPV 1 , along with a QX-314, a membrane impermeable voltage-gated channel inhibitor. Capsaicin activates the TRPVl channel receptor and allows QX-314 to pass into the intracellular space through this activated receptor channel. Upon TRPVl channel activation, the administration of capsaicin can be reduced or withdrawn to reduce any undesirable side-effect (e.g., pain). Once in the intracellular space, QX-314 can inhibit sodium voltage-gated channels, thereby providing a reduction or elimination of pain. At this point, capsaicin and QX-314 can be removed from the extracellular solution. With TRPVl channels closed, QX-314 is trapped inside the cell as it is membrane impermeant. Thereafter, its blocking action on sodium channels and electrical excitability can last for many hours or days without further need for the presence of either capsaicin or QX-314 in the extracellular medium. The activation of TRPVl channels can also be terminated by desensitization of the TRPVl channels, and this desensitization can be enhanced by the additional presence of lidocaine, so that lidocaine can not only enhance initial entry of QX-314 but also help trap it inside the neuron to produce longer-lasting effects. Optionally, compounds can be added to specifically block TRPVl channels in order to trap QX- 314 inside the neuron and enhance the duration of its action in blocking electrical excitability.

Other Embodiments Various modifications and variations of the described method and system of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific desired embodiments, it should be understood that the

invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention that are obvious to those skilled in the fields of medicine, immunology, pharmacology, endocrinology, or related fields are intended to be within the scope of the invention. All publications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each independent publication was specifically and individually incorporated by reference.

What is claimed is: