If p38 map kinase is an enzyme that contributes to the production of inflammatory compounds, then p38 map kinase inhibitors would decrease the body’s ability to make those pain-inducing compounds.

So how long will it take to develop new drugs that work by inhibiting ability of certain cells to interact with each other?

from the p38 map kinase project page it seems that those highly selective p38 MAP kinase inhibitors have been developed and currently in phase II human clinical trials.

http://lifeinpain.org/YN