A new treatment to prevent nerve damage from chemotherapy
Official title: A Novel LRP1 Agonist, SP16, as a Therapeutic Treatment in Preventing Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Funded at Serpin Pharma, LLC · NIH-11069378 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new drug called SP16 to see if it can help prevent the painful nerve damage that some cancer survivors experience after chemotherapy, making life a little easier for those who have gone through treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Serpin Pharma, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Manassas, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 19, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $838,708 |
| NIH project number | 2R44CA268700-02A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11069378 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy, particularly those treated with taxanes and at risk of developing CIPN.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing chemotherapy or those who have pre-existing neuropathy unrelated to cancer treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel drug called SP16, which aims to prevent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a painful condition affecting many cancer survivors. SP16 works by activating a receptor that helps reduce inflammation and protect nerve tissues from damage caused by chemotherapy drugs, particularly taxanes. The study will assess the effectiveness of SP16 in alleviating symptoms of CIPN and improving the quality of life for patients who have undergone chemotherapy. By targeting the underlying causes of nerve damage, this approach seeks to provide a safer and more effective treatment option for those at risk of CIPN.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new therapeutic option to prevent painful nerve damage in cancer survivors undergoing chemotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting similar pathways for pain relief, but this specific approach with SP16 is novel and untested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Serpin Pharma, LLC
Manassas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gelber, Cohava — Serpin Pharma, LLC
- Study coordinator: Gelber, Cohava
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Non-invasive, microscopic biomarkers to detect CIPN in chemotherapy patients
This grant aims to develop a non-invasive imaging method to measure nerve changes in patients undergoing chemotherapy to better understand and monitor chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).
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Longitudinal study of how body-sense relates to chemotherapy nerve damage
This study follows people with breast or gastrointestinal cancer and healthy controls to see if brain processing of body sensations contributes to chemotherapy-induced nerve damage.
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A new screen for chemotherapy-related nerve problems in young children
A clinician-scientist at Yale is developing a child-friendly survey to quickly screen for nerve-related side effects from cancer treatment in kids from birth to age 5.
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How the immune system’s CD4+ T cells in women might prevent chemotherapy-related nerve pain
A study in mice explores whether female immune cells in nerve tissue can lessen pain from chemotherapy, with potential implications for preventing CIPN in women.
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Axonal transport and chemotherapy-related nerve pain
This grant studies why certain cancer patients develop painful nerve damage from chemotherapy and explores ways to prevent or treat it.
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Remote monitoring and nurse follow-up to manage chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
A program uses symptom reporting tools with nurse follow-up to reduce and better manage chemotherapy-induced neuropathy for cancer survivors, during and after treatment.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.