New methods to detect nerve damage from chemotherapy
Official title: Non-invasive, quantitative microscopic biomarkers for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11121422 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to see and measure nerve damage in the skin caused by chemotherapy, which can help doctors better understand and manage the symptoms for cancer patients dealing with nerve pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | February 21, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $391,325 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA301271-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11121422 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who are experiencing symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not receiving chemotherapy or those without symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop non-invasive microscopic techniques to identify and quantify nerve damage caused by chemotherapy, known as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Using a technology called portable confocal microscopy, the study will visualize changes in nerve endings in the skin of cancer patients. By assessing the density of specific nerve structures, researchers hope to create a reliable tool for evaluating CIPN, which can lead to better management of symptoms during and after cancer treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a standardized method for early detection and monitoring of nerve damage in cancer patients, potentially improving their treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary studies using similar imaging techniques have shown promising results in detecting nerve damage in cancer patients, indicating potential for success in this research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kang, Dongkyun — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Kang, Dongkyun
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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).
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.