Developing safer pain relief options for cancer patients experiencing neuropathic pain from chemotherapy

Flupirtine Analogue Synthesis and Screening for the Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain

['FUNDING_R21'] · UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11095629

This study is looking for safer pain relief options for cancer patients dealing with nerve pain from chemotherapy by creating new versions of an old medication, flupirtine, that was taken off the market due to safety issues.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R21']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded)
Locations1 site (OMAHA, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11095629 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research focuses on finding new and safer alternatives to treat chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CINP), a painful condition that affects many cancer patients. The team is synthesizing and screening new analogues of flupirtine, a previously used pain relief medication that was withdrawn due to safety concerns. By modifying the chemical structure of flupirtine, they aim to create compounds that effectively relieve pain without the severe liver toxicity associated with the original drug. The research includes testing these new compounds in mouse models to evaluate their effectiveness and safety.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients who are experiencing neuropathic pain as a side effect of their chemotherapy treatment.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing chemotherapy or do not experience neuropathic pain may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide cancer patients with a safer and more effective treatment option for managing neuropathic pain caused by chemotherapy.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that modifying existing analgesics can lead to safer and more effective pain relief options, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

OMAHA, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.