Clearing Out “Zombie Cells” Offers Hope for Chronic Back Pain Sufferers
A breakthrough preclinical study has revealed that clearing “zombie cells” from spinal discs may dramatically reduce chronic low back pain, a condition that affects millions of people globally and remains common among Thais. Researchers from McGill University found that two drugs—o-Vanillin and RG-7112—can target and remove these senescent cells, leading not only to reduced pain and inflammation but even signs of tissue repair in damaged spinal discs. The findings, published in Science Advances, point to a transformative new treatment that addresses the root cause of back pain rather than just masking symptoms with painkillers or surgery source.