Blocking NLRP3 to treat paclitaxel-related nerve pain
Inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome for the treatment of Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
This project looks at whether blocking the NLRP3 inflammasome can help adults who get nerve pain from paclitaxel chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11237999 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using mouse models that receive paclitaxel to mimic the nerve pain many patients get from this chemotherapy. They will measure levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL-1β in the dorsal root ganglia and compare pain-related behaviors in normal mice versus mice without NLRP3 or mice given NLRP3 blockers. The team’s preliminary data show mice lacking NLRP3 do not develop paclitaxel-induced neuropathy, so the project tests whether blocking NLRP3 reduces inflammation and nerve pain. Successful preclinical results would support moving NLRP3-targeting treatments toward human testing for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who are receiving paclitaxel chemotherapy or who have developed paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy would be the most relevant future candidates for related clinical trials.
Not a fit: People with nerve pain from causes unrelated to paclitaxel or those seeking immediate symptom relief should not expect direct benefit from this preclinical study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that prevent or reduce chemotherapy-induced nerve pain and help patients complete cancer treatment with better quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies, including the investigators’ preliminary mouse work, support NLRP3’s role in this type of neuropathy, but NLRP3-targeting therapies have not yet been proven in patients with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.
Where this research is happening
Richmond, United States
- Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Damaj, M. Imad — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Damaj, M. Imad
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 below.