The present invention relates to the identification of Myo1a as a biomarker of conversion of acute pain into chronic pain, and as a therapeutic target. The invention in particular relates to products and methods for assessing the predisposition of a subject to develop an injury-induced chronic mechanical pain and/or an inflammatory-induced chronic thermal pain, and is particularly suited for mammals, preferably human subjects. The present invention more specifically relates to the assessment of the predisposition of a subject to develop an injury-induced chronic mechanical pain and/or an inflammatory-induced chronic thermal pain using preferably the MYO1A gene as a biomarker. Inventors herein provide binding reagents specific for MYO1A, compositions, devices, kits containing the same and animal model, and further describe their uses for assessing the predisposition of a subject to suffer from chronic pain. The invention also relates to products and methods for diagnosing, preventing, managing or treating chronic pain.
