New approach to prevent cognitive problems from cancer treatment
Official title: Discovery of a novel target to mitigate cancer-therapy induced neurocognitive impairments
Funded at Saint Louis University · NIH-11336969 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in mice tests a new brain drug target to stop thinking and memory problems caused by chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Saint Louis University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $584,035 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA310975-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11336969 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancer who may experience or be at risk for chemotherapy-related cognitive problems in future human studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cognitive complaints or those not eligible for future translation to human studies may not benefit.
What this research studies
Cancer therapies can cause long-lasting cognitive problems for many patients, and there are no approved treatments. This project investigates a brain receptor called P2Y14R on glial cells and how blocking it might reduce therapy-related cognitive impairment without hurting cancer treatment. Using mouse models of cisplatin- and paclitaxel-induced cognitive issues, researchers will test a selective antagonist to see if it improves cognition and preserves normal movement and tumor response. They will also explore related molecular changes in the hippocampus to understand how the treatment works. If successful, this could lead to a new strategy to protect patients’ thinking abilities during cancer treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could protect or restore cognitive function in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary animal data show that blocking P2Y14R can reduce cognitive deficits without affecting anti-cancer effects in mice.
Where this research is happening
-
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Salvemini, Daniela — Saint Louis University
- Study coordinator: Salvemini, Daniela
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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.