Finding ways to treat nerve damage caused by chemotherapy
Official title: Developing mechanism-based strategies to treat chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11003966 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for ways to help cancer patients who experience painful nerve damage from chemotherapy, by using a special virus to deliver treatments that can protect their nerves and improve their comfort during and after treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | January 13, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $419,407 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA267905-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003966 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients who are currently undergoing chemotherapy and experiencing symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing chemotherapy or those who do not experience peripheral neuropathy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a painful and debilitating condition that affects many cancer patients undergoing treatment. The team is developing innovative strategies to prevent nerve damage caused by chemotherapeutic agents like vincristine and bortezomib. By targeting a specific protein involved in nerve degeneration, they aim to enhance the quality of life for patients during and after cancer treatment. The approach includes using a modified virus to deliver therapeutic agents that can block the harmful effects of chemotherapy on nerves.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the quality of life for cancer patients by reducing or preventing painful nerve damage caused by chemotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting similar pathways for nerve protection, indicating that this approach could lead to meaningful advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Geisler, Stefanie — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Geisler, Stefanie
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.