How the brain's sensing of the body affects chemo-related nerve symptoms

Longitudinal assessment of the role of interoception in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) along the cancer chemotherapy continuum

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · NIH-11182478

Researchers will follow people with breast or gastrointestinal cancer getting taxane or platinum chemotherapy and healthy volunteers to learn whether changes in the brain's body-sensing relate to nerve symptoms after chemotherapy.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE (nih funded)
Locations1 site (BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11182478 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

You would join a group of 120 people with breast or GI cancers who are about to start taxane- or platinum-based chemotherapy and 60 age-matched healthy volunteers. Everyone is seen before chemo, shortly after finishing chemo, and six months later. At each visit you'll have a brain MRI, answer questions about bodily sensations and neuropathy symptoms, and have simple clinical tests of nerve function. The team will compare changes over time between patients and controls to link brain signal changes with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with breast or gastrointestinal cancer who are scheduled to receive taxane- or platinum-based chemotherapy.

Not a fit: People not receiving taxane or platinum chemotherapy, those with neuropathy from unrelated causes, or those unable to undergo MRI may not receive direct benefit from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal brain-based markers or targets that lead to better ways to prevent or treat chemotherapy-related nerve damage.

How similar studies have performed: Prior research has linked brain changes to chronic pain, but applying interoception concepts specifically to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a relatively new and largely untested approach in humans.

Where this research is happening

BALTIMORE, 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.