New ways to prevent and reverse chemotherapy-related nerve damage
Official title: Developing mechanism-based strategies to treat chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11284066 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are trying approaches that block a nerve‑destroying protein to prevent or reverse painful nerve damage in people treated with chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | January 13, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $377,467 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA267905-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11284066 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People receiving or about to receive neurotoxic chemotherapy (for example vincristine or bortezomib) who are at risk for or already have signs of peripheral neuropathy would be the primary candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with neuropathy from non‑chemotherapy causes or those with longstanding, complete nerve loss unlikely to be reversible may not benefit from these approaches.
What this research studies
Chemotherapy often injures the long nerve fibers that carry feeling from hands and feet, causing lasting pain and disability. This project targets a protein called SARM1 that triggers axon (nerve fiber) self‑destruction and tests strategies to stop that final step. The team is developing a blocking version of SARM1 delivered by adeno‑associated virus and other mechanism‑based approaches to keep nerves alive during or after treatment with drugs like vincristine and bortezomib. Work includes laboratory and preclinical testing aimed at methods that could be translated into treatments for patients receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these approaches could prevent or reverse chemotherapy‑induced peripheral neuropathy, improve quality of life, and allow patients to complete effective cancer treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Related SARM1‑targeting strategies have shown promising results in animal and laboratory models but are still novel and unproven in human patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Geisler, Stefanie — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Geisler, Stefanie
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.