Evaluation of a novel chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2)-antagonist in painful diabetic polyneuropathy

•CCR2-antagonists are effective in preclinical models of neuropathic pain.•A novel CCR2-antagonist, AZD2423, was studied in painful diabetic polyneuropathy.•Biomarker data in patients suggested that AZD2423 interacted with the target CCR2.•AZD2423 was no better than placebo on the primary and most secondary pain variables.•However, neuropathic pain symptom inventory (NPSI) data showed possible effects on certain sensory components of pain.