A preclinical study conducted by researchers at McGill University has revealed that two drugs targeting 'zombie cells' can effectively treat chronic low back pain, a condition that affects millions worldwide.

Zombie cells, or senescent cells, accumulate in spinal discs due to aging or injury, leading to inflammation and pain instead of dying off like normal cells.

The study tested two oral drugs, o-Vanillin, a natural compound derived from turmeric, and RG-7112, an FDA-approved cancer medication, both separately and in combination.

The combination of o-Vanillin and RG-7112 proved to be the most effective treatment, although each drug also demonstrated individual benefits.

After eight weeks of treatment, the administration of these drugs resulted in the clearing of zombie cells from the spine, leading to reduced pain, inflammation, and even reversing damage to spinal discs.

Senior author Lisbet Haglund expressed surprise that an oral treatment could effectively reach the spinal discs, which are typically difficult to access.

This study provides initial evidence of o-Vanillin's efficacy in treating back pain, while RG-7112 has been previously used in osteoarthritis and cancer research but not specifically for back pain.

Haglund emphasized that these findings indicate a new approach to treating back pain by targeting the underlying cellular causes rather than merely managing symptoms with painkillers or surgery.

The research, titled 'Senolytic Treatment for Low Back Pain,' was published in Science Advances and received funding from various health research organizations in Canada.

Future research will focus on enhancing the structure of o-Vanillin to improve its efficacy and exploring its potential for treating other age-related diseases associated with senescent cells, such as arthritis and osteoporosis.

Interestingly, o-Vanillin was included in the study by chance, yet it showed promising effects in clearing zombie cells, while RG-7112 is already recognized for similar properties in other medical contexts.

Current treatments for chronic low back pain primarily manage symptoms with painkillers or surgery, failing to address the underlying causes of the condition.