Intrathecal injection of DZNep relieve bone cancer pain in rats. EZH2 expressed in spinal cord tissue may be involved in the process of bone cancer pain in rats.

Female Sprague-Dawley rats of the same age weighing approximately 160 g were selected for the experiment. The BCP model was established by injecting inactivated Walker 256 breast cancer cells into the tibia. von Frey filaments were used to measure the paw withdrawal threshold, and bone destruction in the rat was observed using x-ray. The spinal EZH2 and H3K27Tm levels were measured using Western blotting and RT-qPCR analysis. Intrathecal injection of an EZH2 inhibitor was performed to examine the role of EZH2 in trigeminal BCP.

Experimental results showed that injecting Walker 256 breast cancer cells into the tibia induced bone cancer pain. Spinal EZH2 and H3K27Tm levels were significantly increased over time in BCP rats. An intrathecal injection of 3-deazaneplanocin A (DZNep), a selective EZH2 inhibitor, downregulated the expression of EZH2 and attenuate the BCP-induced mechanical allodynia state.