Predicting nerve damage risk from taxane chemotherapy

Development of an Integrated Risk Prediction Model of Taxane-induced Peripheral Neuropathy

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11285481

This project builds a tool to predict which patients getting taxane chemotherapy are likely to develop peripheral neuropathy.

Quick facts

Grant typeR37 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-11285481 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If I'm getting taxane chemotherapy, researchers will use blood samples and detailed symptom data from a large group of patients to look for biological signs linked to nerve damage. They will combine clinical and lifestyle information with nutrient and lipid levels (for example vitamin D, histidine, sphingomyelin) and genetic variants to create an integrated risk model. The team will validate the model using biospecimens and TIPN data collected in a large NCI-sponsored trial (SWOG S1714, ~1,336 patients). The hope is a practical prediction tool that can help inform treatment decisions to reduce the chance of long-term nerve injury.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people receiving taxane-based chemotherapy (commonly used for breast and other cancers) who can provide blood samples and clinical information.

Not a fit: People who are not treated with taxane drugs or whose neuropathy arises from other causes are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors identify patients at high risk for chemotherapy-related nerve damage so treatment can be personalized to lower that risk.

How similar studies have performed: Prior smaller studies have suggested nutrient, lipid, and genetic markers linked to taxane neuropathy, but an integrated and clinically validated prediction model has not yet been established.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, 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.
Conditions Anti-Cancer AgentsCancer Causing Agents
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.