How chemotherapy-linked tubulin changes may cause nerve pain and numbness
Investigating the Pathogenic Role of Tubulin Post-translational Modifications in CIPN
This project looks at whether specific chemical changes to tubulin in nerve cells cause the numbness and pain many people get from chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178319 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are focusing on how chemotherapy drugs change tubulin, a key part of nerve cell structure, and whether those changes lead to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). They will examine a specific irreversible change called delta-2 tubulin in nerve cells and tissues using laboratory models and patient-derived samples. Experiments will track how these tubulin changes affect cargo transport, ion channel function, and mitochondrial behavior in sensory nerves. The team aims to find early molecular signs that appear before symptoms so therapies could be developed to prevent or reduce neuropathy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who are receiving or have received neurotoxic chemotherapy and who have signs or symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, or who can provide blood or tissue samples for research, would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People whose neuropathy is clearly caused by non-chemotherapy issues (for example uncontrolled diabetes or inherited neuropathies) may not benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat chemotherapy-related nerve pain and numbness by targeting tubulin changes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked microtubule disruption and tubulin changes to CIPN, but targeting specific tubulin post-translational modifications is a newer approach with limited clinical testing so far.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bartolini, Francesca — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Bartolini, Francesca
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.