Non-invasive microscopic biomarkers to track chemotherapy-caused nerve pain
Official title: Non-invasive, quantitative microscopic biomarkers for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11290862 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at the University of Arizona will test a non-invasive imaging method to visualize tiny nerve endings in the skin to help understand and monitor chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $371,180 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA301271-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11290862 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cancer undergoing chemotherapy who are at risk for or currently experiencing CIPN.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who cannot undergo skin imaging or have conditions preventing safe skin assessment may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses portable confocal microscopy to image Meissner’s corpuscles in the skin of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. By capturing high-resolution, non-invasive images, researchers aim to identify microscopic changes that correlate with CIPN symptoms. The study builds on a prior pilot showing reduced MC density in CIPN patients and seeks to validate these biomarkers in a larger group over the course of treatment and recovery. If successful, the method could provide a quick, patient-friendly way to monitor nerve damage and guide treatment decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may benefit from earlier detection of CIPN and more information to tailor chemotherapy and supportive care.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work suggests MC density changes correlate with CIPN and supports further validation in a larger cohort.
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.