Recent research advances in pain mechanisms in McCune-Albright syndrome thinking about the pain mechanism of FD/MAS.

BACKGROUND: The lack of effective understanding of the pain mechanism of McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) has made the treatment of pain in this disease a difficult clinical challenge, and new therapeutic targets are urgently needed to address this dilemma.

OBJECTIVE: This paper summarizes the novel mechanisms, targets, and treatments that may produce pain in MAS and fibrous dysplasia (polyfibrous dysplasia, or FD).

METHODS: We conducted a systematic search in the PubMed database, Web of Science, China Knowledge Network (CNKI) with the following keywords: "McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS); polyfibrous dysplasia (FD); bone pain; bone remodeling; G protein coupled receptors; GDNF family receptors; purinergic receptors and glycogen synthase kinase", as well as other keywords were systematically searched. Papers published between January 2018 and May 2023 were selected for finding. Initial screening was performed by reading the titles and abstracts, and available literature was screened against the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

RESULTS: In this review, we systematically analyzed the cutting-edge advances in this disease, synthesized the findings, and discussed the differences. With regard to the complete mechanistic understanding of the pain condition in FD/MAS, in particular, we collated new findings on new pathways, neurotrophic factor receptors, purinergic receptors, interferon-stimulating factors, potassium channels, protein kinases, and corresponding hormonal modulation and their respective strengths and weaknesses.

CONCLUSION: This paper focuses on basic research to explore FD/MAS pain mechanisms. New nonneuronal and molecular mechanisms, mechanically loaded responsive neurons, and new targets for potential clinical interventions are future research directions, and a large number of animal experiments, tissue engineering techniques, and clinical trials are still needed to verify the effectiveness of the targets in the future.