Investigating how the immune system affects nerve pain from chemotherapy

Complement in Paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy

NIH-funded research Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-10793525

This study is looking at how a part of the immune system affects nerve pain caused by the chemotherapy drug Paclitaxel, using specially designed rats to find out more about this pain and hopefully discover new treatments for cancer patients who experience nerve damage.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cleveland, United States)
Project IDNIH-10793525 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how a component of the immune system, known as complement, contributes to nerve pain caused by the chemotherapy drug Paclitaxel. Researchers are using specially designed rats that lack a key part of the complement system to observe differences in pain response and nerve damage. By studying these differences, the research aims to uncover new mechanisms behind chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, which affects many cancer patients. The ultimate goal is to identify potential new treatments for this painful condition.

Who could benefit from this research

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

Not a fit: Patients who are not receiving Paclitaxel or do not experience peripheral neuropathy may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that alleviate nerve pain for patients undergoing chemotherapy.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that targeting the complement system can influence pain responses, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Cleveland, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.