The management of pain associated with chronic musculoskeletal conditions 
represents a significant challenge for the clinician. There remains a need for 
novel medications that have a significant analgesic benefit and are also safe 
and well tolerated. Both pre-clinical and clinical data have provided evidence 
of the role of nerve growth factor (NGF) in a multitude of pain eliciting 
conditions. Therefore, the development of monoclonal antibodies to NGF for 
chronic painful musculoskeletal conditions has generated interest. Areas 
covered: This manuscript is a review that examines both the pharmacological 
properties and clinical studies of tanezumab, the most widely studied antibody 
to NGF, for management of osteoarthritis (OA) and low back pain. In addition, 
the safety and tolerability profile and development history of tanezumab are 
also discussed. Expert opinion: Most studies provide strong support for the 
ability of tanezumab to provide clinically meaningful pain relief in individuals 
with these conditions, with longer-term studies suggesting durability of effect. 
The adverse event profile appears favorable, assuming the risk mitigation 
strategies are effective at reducing the incidence of joint-related side 
effects. Further data are being collected to define the optimal dose and dosing 
strategy in both OA and chronic low back pain.